Collaboration is key for a smooth transition to Great British Rail
Dominic Booth, CEO
| Transport UK
The government must discuss the specifics of the handover with the wider industry to ensure success and safety for passengers and workers.
Two-hundred years ago, the British government and the rail industry worked in unison to achieve something revolutionary: the creation of the world’s first passenger railway. In 1825, passengers were pulled along the Stockton and Darlington Railway at a then-astonishing speed of 24 mph by a steam locomotive. This experiment in the North of England wasn’t just a technological marvel; it was the start of a transportation revolution that would shape the modern world.
Today, as the government prepares to nationalise the railway, once again – it’s time to revisit that spirit of collaboration.
At Transport UK, the country’s only British-owned rail operator, we believe open lines of communication between the government and the rail industry are crucial to a successful transition. With the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill moving closer to becoming law, the industry is calling on the government to involve existing operators’ expertise in detailed plans. While the government has been vocal about wanting to ‘move fast and fix things’ and resolve long-standing issues within the network, the reality is that the devil is in the detail. Careful planning and consultation are essential.
The initial rollout of the passenger railway two centuries ago was a triumph not just of engineering but of cooperation. If the government is to emulate that success today, it must once again bring together all the stakeholders involved. The current rail system comprises a patchwork of private companies, franchises, and subcontractors, each with its own set of challenges and priorities. The transition to one single Great British Rail will be the biggest change management project the industry has seen for decades, requiring regular back-and-forth input from those who understand the day-to-day realities of running a railway.
Transport UK’s experience helping the Scottish government nationalise its own rail service three years ago demonstrated how vital the step-by-step consultation process was for a successful transition. Without considered back and forth discussion it would have been impossible to safely hand over the reins of ScotRail with such minimal disruption to passengers. We would now urge the UK government to engage in a similarly detailed process.
Trains are in my DNA with three generations of my family working in the transport sector. Born in Stockton-on-Tees, the home of the railway, it was no surprise when I joined British Rail in 1986 as a trainee station manager at Hitchen. I experienced privatisation first-hand and have remained in the industry ever since. It’s the same story for the team of experts I work alongside who also began their careers as apprentices and engineers before rising through the ranks to run some of the highest performing rail franchises in the country.
It’s time to move beyond the rhetoric of quick fixes and talk about the practicalities of a smooth transition. The rail industry is ready to share insights, highlight potential pitfalls, and work with the government to ensure that the new system is fit for purpose and capable of delivering on its promises to passengers.
One of the key areas where collaboration is essential is safety standards. Rail safety in the UK is reliant on rigorous standards and procedures, and it’s imperative that these hard-won gains are not lost. By involving industry experts in the planning process, the government can ensure that safety remains a top priority.
Another critical aspect of this dialogue is ensuring the needs of passengers are kept front and centre. Nationalisation is an opportunity to reset and create a railway that serves the needs of passengers first. But to achieve this, the government must listen to those on the front lines who understand what it takes to run a reliable, efficient, and customer-focused service. We would much rather pass on the lessons we have learned transforming Greater Anglia into "Operator of the Year", than see our high standards in punctuality, customer service, and operational efficiency fall by the wayside.
Two hundred years ago, the government and the rail industry came together to create something truly transformative. Today, as we stand on the cusp of another great change, we have the opportunity to do the same. But this can only happen if the government is willing to engage with industry leaders, to listen, to learn, and to plan together. The journey to a nationalised rail service is complex, but with open dialogue and careful planning we can ensure this transition is a genuine step forward for our railways.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
