Policy
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Features
Rail devolution… and integration
The English Devolution White Paper and the government’s rail reform consultation are together proposing a major shift of power from central to local government.
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Features
The fight to open up the network
The government has cooled in its support for open access operations, but companies remain optimistic that their ambitions will reach fruition.
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Features
Rail Minister Lord Hendy: nationalisation and the future of rail
After seven months in office, what has Rail Minister Lord Hendy achieved? In an exclusive RAIL interview, Paul Clifton tries to find out.
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Insight
Anywhere at anytime: the formula for cheap subscription tickets
As more European countries introduce keenly priced subscription tickets to encourage greater use of public transport, Ben Jones asks if it actually works.
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Insight
Scotland’s radical peak fares pilot: over and out?
The Scottish government has called time on its pilot scheme to abolish peak rail fares, but the calls for making public transport more accessible grow.
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Opinion
Comment: rail reform starts with getting the basics right
Guest columnist Stephen Joseph offers his checklist for successful rail reform
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Opinion
Comment: The railway will still need fixing - quickly
Rail Partners Chief Executive Andy Bagnall is about to wind up his organisation but leaves with this plea to government on GBR.
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Insight
How is Shadow Great British Railways shaping up?
In September, the government said Great British Railways would be established in ‘shadow’ form. Paul Clifton finds out what the industry thinks of it so far
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Opinion
Comment: ensure rail freight is at the heart of the GBR plans
“Putting passengers first” should not exclude other rail traffic from the narrative, says Maggie Simpson.
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Features
GBR a "real winner" for West Midlands - TfWM's Mal Drury-Rose
As Director of Rail at Transport for West Midlands, Mal Drury-Rose is set to play a crucial role as the region targets more control over local rail services.
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Insight
Rail devolution: sidelined, delayed or arriving soon?
Transport for London has long wanted to take over more of the capital’s suburban rail network, but how would that fit in with central rail policy? By Tom Edwards
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Opinion
Comment: Engage the passengers in railway decision-making
From Transport Focus’s perspective, the key to GBR success will ensuring the customer is at the heart of GBR and its decisions, says Alex Robertson.
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Insight
Devolution revolution signals a change in how services are run
The new government wants to give Metro Mayors and their Combined Authorities more powers and a bigger say in how local rail services are run.
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Insight
How can freight be a major part of rail’s future?
Great British Railways will need to focus on nationalised passenger services. Freight could lose out. Heads of the two largest companies talk to Paul Clifton.
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Insight
Which route will rail franchising take?
A committed local approach or a more national path? Philip Haigh examines how rail franchises could be transformed in the coming years.
Rail devolution… and integration
The English Devolution White Paper and the government’s rail reform consultation are together proposing a major shift of power from central to local government.
Access for All awaits a clear pathway
Unfunded Access for All works at Britain’s stations has left Department for Transport ministers ‘considering their options’. Mel Holley unpicks the detail.
How far will split tickets and railcards take you on UK rail?
Fancy a coffee? In Scotland? All for around £40 return (not including the coffee)? Peter Plisner reports on mad days out by train.
An open invitation or mixed messages for open access ?
Ministers appeared to back the latest open access deal guaranteeing private operation within a nationalised railway. Peter Plisner looks at the state of play.
