Labour Party

ScotRail 170403 passes Hillend (near Dalgety) on October 10 2024 with the 0939 Edinburgh-Perth service. PAUL BIGGS.

News

Scottish Labour vows to end peak fares despite trial not leading to sufficient demand increase

Pledge made to axe peak fares "for good" if it wins the next Scottish election.

Ticketing 10 Mar

News

Transport Committee Inquiry launched into boom-or-bust cycles

The Transport Committee has launched a new inquiry to investigate how the government can establish a stable pipeline of rail projects to secure the future of the industry.

Department for Transport 18 Dec

John Prescott, centre, with Head of Strategic Rail Authority, Alistair Morton, left, who was Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, and the Managing director of Chiltern Railways, Adrian Shooter

News

Tributes paid to John Prescott after former Transport Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister dies aged 86

John Prescott died on Wednesday at the age 86

Labour Party 22 Nov

Comment

A better way to assess the true value of transport policies

CHANGE is the watchword of the new government. At the recent Labour conference in Liverpool, the words “change begins” were ubiquitous on posters everywhere, although what that entailed was mostly left unexplained.

Christian Wolmar 16 Oct

News

Transport Committee Chair to investigate track access charges and HS2

The new chair of the Transport Select Committee wants to investigate restrictions on flying, rail freight track access charges and HS2.

rail 24 Sept

News

"Not too late to change course on public ownership"

It’s “not too late” for Louise Haigh to change course on public ownership and get “the best of both worlds,” says Rail Partners chief executive, Andy Bagnall.

rail 24 Sept

50007 and 50048 pass Lambrigg on August 24 with the Taunton to Aberdeen railtour. TOM MCATEE

Comment

RAIL comment: Labour’s blueprint for rail

Can the latest strategic report, the Rail and Urban Transport Review chaired by former Siemens UK head Juergen Maier, deliver a successful long-term strategy?

Editor's comment 17 Sept

Comment

Comment: Do Labour's first few months signal a fresh start for rail?

Rail Review Editorial Board Chairman Sir Michael Holden assesses Labour's new track record in rail.

Policy 16 Sept

Comment

Opinion: Poor timing from ASLEF

Adverse publicity for Labour and the union could easily have been avoided with better coordination, says Christian Wolmar.

Christian Wolmar 9 Sept

Rail union members and campaigners call for nationalisation and public ownership of the railways in an Action for Rail campaign outside London Bridge station in 2016. How far the government is able to go with its nationalisation plans may well depend on the money available. ALAMY.

Comment

Analysis: will nationalisation best serve rail passengers?

Nationalisation is Labour’s special word for change in the way Britain’s railways are run, but what will it really mean? Howard Johnston investigates.

Industry views 6 Sept

Comment

Opinion: public ownership, staffing levels and pay awards

Service cuts illustrate the pitfalls of public control, says our industry insider.

Editor's comment 8 Aug

Liverpool Street on November 17 2023. GA’s franchise is up for review in September, perhaps too soon to be affected by the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill. MIKE COOPER.

Comment

Labour in a hurry to implement changes on the railway

Christian Wolmar on Labour's first frantic weeks in office and why the new government isn't hanging around when it comes to rail reform.

Christian Wolmar 6 Aug

Avanti West Coast is the principal operator on the West Coast Main Line, and has submitted five different bids for extra train paths as it seeks to return services that were withdrawn during COVID. But it faces competition from a posse of open access operators. AWC 805005 approaches Rugeley Trent Valley on May 10, during a Class 805 ‘Evero’ test run. ALAMY.

News

Further details on rail reform emerge

More detail and reaction on what to expect from the government’s rail reform has emerged. The King set out planned reform to the railways in the state opening of parliament yesterday (July 17) with many of Labour’s manifesto pledges for rail reform included.

Rail reform 18 Jul

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves talking on a train - 2024 - Alamy

News

King’s Speech promises laws to nationalise train operations and set up GBR

The King has just delivered his speech at the State Opening of Parliament, setting out the coming year’s parliamentary agenda included laws to deliver the new Labour government’s railway policies.

Labour Party 17 Jul

Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill, appointed as transport minister, July 2024

News

PM appoints Network Rail chair Lord Hendy as a transport minister

Current Network Rail Chairman, Lord Peter Hendy has been appointed as a minister of state for transport in the most recent government appointments made by 10 Downing Street.

Lord Peter Hendy 8 Jul

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh meet workers at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe depot on April 25, the day Labour published its Getting Britain Moving plan

News

Industry reacts to Labour's landslide election victory

The rail industry has reacted to Labour’s landslide general election victory with many keen to see the plan the party laid out in its manifesto change enacted quickly.

Labour Party 8 Jul

Comment

Comment: Labour plans old and new

Rip off the sticking plasters and prepare for change, says Christian Wolmar

Christian Wolmar 18 Jun

News

Labour reinforces its Plan for Rail in Manifesto launch

The Labour Party has released its manifesto today (Thursday 13 June), sticking to the “Plan for Rail” manifesto that its Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh launched in April.

Labour Party 13 Jun

Travellers coming and going through Liverpool Street Station main concourse. London, England, UK

News

RIA calls for clarity in its manifesto ahead of general election

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is calling for a fresh start for UK rail in its manifesto, which it has published ahead of the general election on July 4.

RIA 7 Jun