The next three train operating companies whose services will transfer into public ownership, as part of the government’s overhaul of the railways, have been confirmed.
After Greater Anglia’s services transfer on 12 October 2025, West Midlands Trains’ services will then follow on 1 February 2026, before Govia Thameslink Railway’s services on 31 May 2026, marking another significant step in the government’s plans to bring services into public ownership.
This means by the middle of next year, 8 in 10 passenger rail journeys that the department is responsible for will be owned by the public, for the public.
Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railways services are then expected to follow, with the Secretary of State of Transport due to make final decisions on when exactly this will happen in due course.
All passenger services operating under contracts with the department are expected to return to public ownership by the end of 2027 and will eventually be integrated into Great British Railways.
Services are being transferred after contracts reach the end of their minimum term, ensuring taxpayers pay no additional costs for breaking contracts early.
The introduction of Great British Railways
As part of the process, operators must meet rigorous, bespoke standards to earn the right to be called Great British Railways, as the government aims to rebuild a world-class public service.
Legislation to establish Great British Railways, the new public company which will take responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the railways, will be introduced this Parliamentary session.
The government noted that publicly owned operating companies Southeastern and LNER are delivering some of the lowest cancellation rates nationally, and South Western Railway has tripled the number of new trains in service in the four months since it came under public ownership, offering more comfortable journeys.
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