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31m ago

Government Sets Dates to Bring West Midlands Trains and Govia Thameslink Into Public Ownership in 2026

Officials say phasing transfers at contract expiry will put roughly eight in ten DfT-run journeys in public hands by mid-2026.

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Overview

  • After Greater Anglia’s 12 October 2025 transfer, West Midlands Trains moves on 1 February 2026 and Govia Thameslink Railway on 31 May 2026.
  • Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railway are expected to follow, with exact timings to be decided by the Transport Secretary.
  • Transfers will take place only at the end of minimum contract terms to avoid additional taxpayer costs.
  • The government intends to return all DfT-contracted passenger services to public ownership by the end of 2027 and to introduce legislation this session to establish Great British Railways for unified operations.
  • Ministers point to early results under public ownership, citing low cancellation rates at Southeastern and LNER and a tripling of new trains in service at South Western Railway.