Labour’s plan for Britain’s railways confirms intention to bring all franchised operations in-house
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh, pictured on a visit to Hitachi
When the new South West Trains and Great Western franchises commenced on February 4, 1996, they became the first private sector-operated rail franchises in the UK. It marked the beginning of a new era, but one that Labour has confirmed will end if it wins the next general election.
Published on April 25, Labour’s plan for Britain’s railways proposes to bring franchised train operators under public ownership and control, within a new Great British Railways framework – while maintaining a role for non-franchised open access operators.
Where private operators have failed, Great British Railways will be tasked with improving services
In the foreword to the document, shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh asserts that reforms proposed by the current government don’t go far enough. She writes: “They will not fix the fundamental problems that beset the industry – continuing fragmentation, inefficiency and waste, and an ongoing conflict in public service provision between passenger needs and private commercial interests. Where private operators have failed,
Great British Railways will be tasked with improving services.”
More on Labour’s plan:
Norman Baker: The plan arriving at platform one…
Alex Warner: Private sector TOCs reach end of the line
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.
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