Thirty-Eighth Report - Rail reform: The rail transformation programme

The government agrees and commits to delivering the Great British Railways (GBR) model within this parliamentary term, which it states will address disincentives and aims to improve passenger services and financial sustainability. Interim actions include using annual business planning, resolving the ASLEF dispute, and mobilising shadow GBR.

The government agrees and commits to setting out next steps as soon as possible for improving rail accessibility, continuing the Access for All programme, and using accessibility audit data for all 2,575 stations to improve information and target future investment decisions.

The government agrees and states it has already implemented the recommendation by delivering various reforms including rolling out barcode ticketing, expanding contactless PAYG, piloting PAYG in new regions, setting a rail freight target, and launching a rail sale. It remains focused on delivering benefits ahead of GBR legislation.

The government outlines its ongoing actions on rail reform, including introducing legislation to bring passenger services into public ownership, announcing further legislation to create Great British Railways, and preparing for the mobilisation of a shadow GBR.

The government agrees with the implied recommendation, confirming it is pursuing a rail sector transformation program including legislation to bring passenger services into public ownership and create Great British Railways (GBR), with plans to mobilise a shadow GBR.

The government states that train operators' performance is already monitored across a range of operational and service quality measures and that each operator is contractually required to set out their commitments to passengers, including arrangements for delay compensation.

The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation to reunite cost and revenue and is committed to delivering a unified and simplified governance structure for the railways, alongside passenger train services under public ownership. Implementation is targeted for Spring 2025.

The government agrees and will continue to support the access for all programme, using accessibility audit data of rail stations to improve passenger information and target future investment decisions.

The government agrees and lists progress made prior to the 2024 General Election, including barcode ticketing and LNER initiatives, and says it is focused on delivering benefits for passengers and taxpayers ahead of legislation to establish GBR. It also mentions resolving the national pay dispute with ASLEF and mobilising shadow GBR.

The government outlines its commitment to delivering rail reforms, including introducing legislation for public ownership of passenger services and creating Great British Railways (GBR), to achieve a unified governance structure and improve value for money.

The government agrees and lists progress made prior to the 2024 General Election, including barcode ticketing and LNER initiatives, and says it is focused on delivering benefits for passengers and taxpayers ahead of legislation to establish GBR. It also mentions resolving the national pay dispute with ASLEF and mobilising shadow GBR.

The government agrees with the committee, stating it is working closely with HM Treasury to define the role, function, and oversight of Great British Railways to ensure financial sustainability, with further legislative plans to be announced.

The government will work closely with HM Treasury on defining the role, function and oversight of Great British Railways to ensure the railway is financially sustainable and will set out further information on plans for legislation as soon as is practical.

The government is resetting the relationship with the trade unions, has made a proposal to ASLEF, and believes that working in partnership with the workforce is essential for long-lasting reform.