Rail Partners' response to the consultation for the rail reform bill
Rail Partners chief executive, Andy Bagnall, said:
‘The government took responsibility for Britain’s railways with the passing of the Public Ownership Act at the end of last year, but today’s consultation is only the start of the process of answering the big questions about how it will improve the railway’s performance for passengers and lower the burden for taxpayers.
‘The coming Bill must organise the railway to address passenger demands for punctuality and affordability and replace the commercial focus of train companies to restore financial sustainability and reduce subsidy. It must also create the conditions necessary to ensure that Great British Railways treats other operators fairly, including freight and open access operators, as well as devolved services.’
Notes to editors
- The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act received Royal Assent in November 2024. The three clause Act has only one function which is to prohibit the contracting of private sector companies to deliver train operations.
- The new consultation will last eight weeks, and the second Bill is expected to be introduced in the summer and will not come into law until 2026.
- Rail Partners has recently published a number of materials on how the future structure of the railway will need to ensure that GBR treats other operators fairly, including freight and open access operators, as well as devolved services.