Rail reform

News

Southeastern and Network Rail Kent manager explains how unification will work

Southeastern Railway and Network Rail Kent Route will now be known as South Eastern Railway.

Southeastern 20 Jun

Feature

SWR returns to the public domain - but what difference will it make?

…but what difference will it make to services and passengers? Paul Clifton canvasses the opinion of rail leaders on SWR’s past, present and future.

Policy 10 Jun

Passenger going through the ticket gatelines

News

Urgent reform needed in rail fare enforcement, ORR review finds

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has recommended that rail fare enforcement is overhauled and made fairer in a new review of the current system.

Office of Rail and Road 4 Jun

South Western's 701046 at London Waterloo before the first nationalised service to Shepperton on May 25. DFTO.

News

Lord Hendy outlines work to do to improve renationalised South Western operation

South Western Railway became the first of ten operators to be nationalised as part of Labour's rail reform plans.

South Western Railway 29 May

Ben Plowden, Chief Executive Officer at the Campaign for Better Transport.

Feature

Interview: “The railway is an essential public service” - Ben Plowden

As Ben Plowden takes over as Chief Executive Officer at the Campaign for Better Transport, Anthony Lambert talks with him about his rail reform priorities.

Policy 29 May

Ian Prosser is former HM Chief Inspector of Railways and Director of Railway Safety at the Office of Rail and Road.

Comment

Rail safety needs better change management

Ian Prosser, former HM Chief Inspector of Railways and Director of Railway Safety at the ORR, on the need for better change management on the railway.

Industry views 27 May

Great British Railways teaser on the side of a South Western Railway train. DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT.

News

South Western Railway nationalised as first services operate under DFTO control

South Western Railway is first of three passenger train operators to be nationalised in 2025.

South Western Railway 25 May

News

Date Greater Anglia will be nationalised is confirmed

Greater Anglia will be the third train operating company nationalised in 2025.

Greater Anglia 9 May

Greater Anglia's Managing Director, Martin Beable. GREATER ANGLIA.

News

Greater Anglia boss hoping for "earned autonomy" from DfT as public ownership looms

Martin Beable sits down with RAIL to talk about his hopes for rail reform as operator continues strong performance.

Greater Anglia 30 Apr

News

Lord Hendy responds to MPs over rail reform consultation after they ask for clarity

Transport Select Committee had asked Rail Minister for clarity on part of the consultation.

Lord Peter Hendy 9 Apr

Southeastern Class 707 at London Bridge. SOUTHEASTERN.

News

Rail reform: fears GBR could "mark its own homework" raised in parliamentary meeting

Separation of powers was discussed at March's All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group.

Rail reform 7 Apr

Freightliner 70011 negotiates Eastleigh station with the 0641 Crewe Basford Hall to Southampton Maritime on April 30, as GB Railfreight 66728 Institution of Railway Operators works the 1147 Southampton Western Docks to East Midlands Gateway. The two companies hold the biggest share of UK freight operations, with intermodal a growth area. MARK PIKE.

News

GBR: MPs ask Lord Hendy for clarity on key point in rail reform consultation

Transport Select Committee asks Rail Minister to confirm issue in rail reform document.

Great British Railways 14 Mar

London Overground’s 378207 is flanked by GB Railfreight’s 69003 at Clapham Junction on January 30. A South Western Railway Class 455 is in the background. PETER MUGRIDGE.

News

Industry seeks greater detail on rail reform consultation as leaders highlight areas of concern

Speakers at an All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group meeting outlined areas they'd like more detail on.

Rail reform 5 Mar

Passengers at London Waterloo. JACK BOSKETT/RAIL.

News

Government launches consultation on rail reform

The government has launched a consultation which will last for eight weeks on its ambitious plans for a major overhaul of the country’s railway system.

Department for Transport 18 Feb

News

Rail and Urban Transport Review calls for a paradigm shift in rail

Industry heavyweight Juergen Maier CBE has unveiled a bold vision for the future of the UK's rail and urban transport infrastructure, urging a radical overhaul to create a more connected, affordable, and high-capacity network.

Infrastructure 21 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

On May 28 1997, former BR 37426, in the colours of private freight operator English, Welsh & Scottish Railways, hauls a rake of Mk 1and Mk 2 coaches, past Penmaenmawr. ROGER SIVITER / COLOUR RAIL

Feature

Rail reform has never been easy

As the new government embarks on rail reform with legislation promised in the King's speech, Richard Foster considers what Labour can learn from past reforms

Legislation 17 Jul

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

Transport Secretary Mark Harper 2024 ALAMY

Feature

The Rail Reform Bill: does it help or hinder?

With a general election soon, will February's Rail Reform Bill provide some clarity about the future? Conrad Landin reports

Policy 6 Jun

News

Labour launches plan for rail

Labour will today reveal its plan for rail as it heads towards the election, expected later this year. Shadow Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh will outline plans to pursue the creation of the Great British Railways (GBR) body which it intends to be led by “rail experts” rather than Whitehall.

Labour Party 25 Apr

Rail reform

Southeastern and Network Rail Kent manager explains how unification will work

SWR returns to the public domain - but what difference will it make?

Urgent reform needed in rail fare enforcement, ORR review finds

Lord Hendy outlines work to do to improve renationalised South Western operation

Interview: “The railway is an essential public service” - Ben Plowden

Rail safety needs better change management

South Western Railway nationalised as first services operate under DFTO control

Date Greater Anglia will be nationalised is confirmed

Greater Anglia boss hoping for "earned autonomy" from DfT as public ownership looms

Lord Hendy responds to MPs over rail reform consultation after they ask for clarity

Rail reform: fears GBR could "mark its own homework" raised in parliamentary meeting

GBR: MPs ask Lord Hendy for clarity on key point in rail reform consultation

Industry seeks greater detail on rail reform consultation as leaders highlight areas of concern

Government launches consultation on rail reform

Rail and Urban Transport Review calls for a paradigm shift in rail