News

• Failing to build the Northern leg of HS2 to Manchester, means fewer paths for freight trains despite Government commitment to grow the sector
• Cancelling Phase 2 could lead to up to half a million more lorries on our roads every year
• Freight operators call on government to set ambitious freight growth target and provide certainty to unlock private investment in rail freight.

Commenting on the Prime Minister's announcement on HS2, Andy Bagnall, chief executive of Rail Partners said:

Responding to the latest freight usage statistics, published by the ORR, Rail Partners' John Thomas - director of policy, said:

Rail industry joins forces with Global Ukraine Rail Task Force to raise funds for food parcels for Ukrainian railway workers and their families

• New research commissioned by Rail Partners reveals where competition among train companies is harnessed effectively across Britain and Europe there are more customers, more services, newer trains, cheaper fares and reduced subsidy
• Decision makers face critical choices about Britain’s railway, but what matters is what works for customers and the taxpayer. We must put aside the ideological battle in order to bring more passengers back, restore hundreds of millions of pounds in lost revenue, and ultimately set up the industry to deliver wider economic growth and environmental benefits
• If reform continues to stall, the railway faces a stunted recovery from the pandemic and, in the worst case, a permanently smaller railway

Responding to the ORR’s latest passenger usage statistics, John Thomas, director of policy at Rail Partners said:

Commenting on proposals to remove wi-fi from trains in order to reduce cost, Andy Bagnall, chief executive of Rail Partners said:

Commenting on Transport Secretary Mark Harper's announcement that Transpennine Express’ contract will not be renewed at the end of this month, Andy Bagnall, Chief Executive of Rail Partners, said:

In response to the Office of Rail and Road’s freight usage and performance statistics, John Thomas, Rail Partners’ Director of Policy said:

• A Rail Partners reception at the House of Commons welcomed guests from across parliament and industry, including rail minister, Huw Merriman MP, and shadow business and industry minister, Bill Esterson, to discuss the benefits, opportunities and potential of rail freight.
• The event follows publication of Rail Partners’ report, Freight Expectations: How rail freight can support Britain’s economy and environment. 
• Rail minister, Huw Merriman, made clear that Government was committed to setting a freight target for Great British Railways, but would not yet commit to the scale of that target.