Elected on July 5, 2024, UK’s new government wasted little time in publishing proposals on July 18, 2024 to take back direct control of passenger services, rather than using franchises or National Rail Contracts.
There will still be private freight operations, passenger charters and open access services, and the independent regulatory function remains in place.
Existing franchises will run out, with no new ones being signed – although exceptionally some franchises could be extended if transfer to the public sector is not practical. In Wales and Scotland services are already under the control of the devolved governments,
In addition a new Railways Act will establish a new agency, Great British Railways, (GBR) with initial responsibilities for running direct operations and National Rail Contracts. Later on the management of passenger services will be absorbed into GBR.
The stated aim of the legislation is to “create a unified and simplified rail system, focused on improving passenger services, delivering better value for money, and ending years of fragmentation and waste”. GBR is to focus on delivering improvement for passenger and freight customers.
partly from ‘The Railway Magazine’, Aug 2024