Labour would renationalise passenger rail services within 5 years
The Labour Party says it expects to renationalise most passenger rail services within its first term, if elected.
Central to its plan is setting up a publicly owned body which will retain the Great British Railways name proposed under the Government’s own rail reform plans. Under Labour’s plan Great British Railways will inherit passenger rail contracts currently held by private firms as they expire, although the plan does not use the term "nationalisation".
Under the Conservative’s delayed rail reforms Great British Railways would be responsible for rail infrastructure and awarding contracts to private operating companies.
Although Rail Minister Huw Merriman said Labour’s plans were "pointless" and "unfunded", since the Covid pandemic the Government has in effect taken control of what is widely seen as a failing railway system.
Most train companies in England have moved onto contracts where they get a fixed fee to run services, and the taxpayer carries the financial risk. Four major operators have also been taken under public control and are being run by the government's Operator of Last Resort model.
Labour shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh promised “the biggest overhaul to our railways in a generation."
Under its plans Labour will set up a new watchdog - the Passenger Standards Authority – to hold Great British Railways to account. It is not however planning to nationalise rail freight companies or rolling stock companies.
Labour’s rail plans identify six key objectives:
Reliable – so that people can have confidence in their journey, whether it’s a one-off trip or their daily commute.
Affordable – so that prices are kept, wherever possible, at a point that works for both passengers and taxpayers.
Efficient – so that people know that their journey will be as straightforward as possible, from booking to travel, and to provide better value for the travelling public and taxpayer alike.
Quality – so that passengers have the service experience they have a right to expect.
Accessible – so that our railways are available for everyone to use.
Safe – so that people don’t worry about their safety on the railway and are not in fear of accidents or crime while travelling.
Earlier this month Labour set out it plans for the bus network across England, with a promise to allow “every community across the country to take back control” of local bus services through franchising deals. Labour said its plan could create and save up to 1,300 vital bus routes and allow 250 million more passenger journeys per year and would “bring an end to the postcode lottery of bus services by providing safeguards over local networks across the country”.