Making rail reform a success
It is 200 years since the world’s first passenger train left Stockton-on-Tees for Darlington, ushering in a new era of transport. Two centuries later, the railway still plays a vital role – but it’s clear the system is in need of serious reform.
In recent years, rail has faced real challenges: patchy performance, rising fares, and a complex, often frustrating system for passengers. Yet rail remains a lifeline for millions of people – connecting them to jobs, education, family and vital services. It offers a fast, low-carbon alternative to driving, with the potential to reduce congestion, clean up our air and support thriving local economies. With urgent climate targets and growing pressure on our transport system, now is the moment to rethink how our railways work – and who they work for.
The good news in all this? A re-think, spurred by government and the industry, is now underway.
Major legislation to reform how rail works in England is due to be introduced at the end of this year. At the heart of this will be a new public body called Great British Railways (often referred to as GBR), which will be responsible for running trains, managing the infrastructure and planning services.
We’ve welcomed this change – in fact, we were calling for a more joined-up rail system as far back as 2019. But legislation alone won’t fix the railway. The creation of Great British Railways is a golden opportunity to do things differently – and better – for passengers. So what needs to happen next?
Make growing rail use a clear national goal
This might sound obvious, but it’s worth stating: the railway should be trying to grow. Getting more people and freight onto trains brings massive environmental and social benefits. It helps cut carbon, reduces road congestion and supports local economies.
With the right policies and investment, research shows it’s possible to double passenger numbers by 2050. That would be transformative, and we think Great British Railways should be required to grow rail use every year, with clear targets and transparent reporting.
Invest with purpose – and clarity
Right now, public spending on rail is higher than ever. Yet passengers don’t always see the benefit. That’s because the system is fragmented and inefficient, with different agencies pulling in different directions.
We believe rail funding should work more like other public services: linked to clear outcomes, like better accessibility, lower emissions, and improved passenger experience.
At the same time, Great British Railways needs to have a stable, long-term budget – not short-term pots that stop and start. This would give suppliers the confidence to invest and help avoid waste.
We’re calling for a ten-year strategy and five-year funding plans, backed by a new national investment programme – something that’s been sorely lacking.
Put passengers first
One of the biggest complaints about the current system is that it’s built around infrastructure and services, not people. That’s led to confusing fares, patchy customer service and an experience that often puts off new passengers.
We want to see a total reset. That means:
- A clear commitment to better real-time information on delays and disruption
- Universal automatic compensation for delayed services
- Standards for digital connectivity and accessibility
- A much-needed simplification of fares – so people can buy with confidence, without needing to split tickets or jump through hoops.
Ultimately, rail should be easy to use, pleasant to travel on, and accessible to everyone.
Fix the system behind the scenes
One of the reasons rail feels broken is because responsibilities are so fragmented. Who actually runs the railway? Is it the Department for Transport, Network Rail, train companies, or someone else?
Great British Railways could fix that – but only if it has a clear mandate and strong, independent oversight.
We’re also pushing for better planning and delivery. That includes a whole industry strategy to guide future investments and a rolling programme of electrification to cut emissions and improve performance. Right now, we’re still far behind countries like Germany and Spain when it comes to modern, electric rail.
And we need to learn from what works. Services like London Overground, Merseyrail and the Elizabeth Line – run by mayoral authorities – are some of the best-performing and popular in the country. More regions should have the opportunity, skills and tools to run their own services.
Don’t forget freight
Finally, rail reform must work for freight too. Shifting more goods from road to rail helps the environment and the economy. But freight services often get squeezed out by passenger trains, and many still run on diesel because key routes aren’t electrified.
We want to see dedicated investment in freight infrastructure, electrification of key corridors, and fair access to the network – so freight can thrive alongside passenger services.
The opportunity
Reforming the railway isn’t easy. But if we get this right, we can build a railway that’s fit for the next 200 years: greener, fairer and better connected.
We’ll keep pushing for changes that benefit passengers, the environment and communities up and down the country.
Read Track changes: making a success of rail reform in full.
