Two more train companies have been brought into public ownership as part of the gradual rollout of Great British Railways. London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway, both franchises of West Midlands Trains, were transferred to the state on Sunday, 1 February.
The move marks the halfway point in the creation of Great British Railways, a nationalised body that will replace the current system of mostly private operators running on public infrastructure. Half of all journeys that the new body will oversee are now under public control.
London Northwestern Railway operates services between Liverpool and Birmingham, as well as on the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston. West Midlands Railway serves destinations across the West Midlands via Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill.
West Midlands Trains is the fourth operator to enter public ownership, following c2c, South Western Railway and Greater Anglia. The Department for Transport said Great British Railways will create an integrated rail network that passengers can rely on, offering reliable, safe and more affordable journeys.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said ahead of the transfer: “Thousands of passengers who travel with London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway will be using services that are owned by the public and run with their interests at heart.” She added that the government is reforming a fragmented system to deliver a reliable railway that regenerates communities and rebuilds passenger trust.
Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands, welcomed the move, stating: “For too long, passengers have had to put up with unreliable and overcrowded trains and a confusing ticket system run by companies that put profit before people.” He said the government is delivering on its pledge to fix the railways and noted plans for an integrated public transport system, including bus franchising.
