What needs to change about rail travel?

22 January 2026  |  Jess Fitch  |  Rail

This will be a pivotal year for the railways. By the end of 2026, Great British Railways – the new public body that will manage both track and trains – could be up and running. Meanwhile, more train operators will come under public ownership.

This level of change is likely to be a huge challenge – but it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make rail travel better for everyone.

At Campaign for Better Transport, we think it’s vital that passengers’ voices are heard in the rail reform process. So we were delighted that more than a thousand people filled in our rail reform survey in its first week alone – and many more are still filling it in.

Here’s what some respondents have said so far:

“We need cheaper fares, regular services and accessibility. The station I use only has step-free access on one platform, so anyone unable to use stairs can’t travel in one direction.”

“AI should be used to ensure trains are full, lowering ticket prices until carriages are full. There is no point having empty carriages with one passenger paying £150 for a ticket and the rest empty seats.”

Other respondents have commented:

“The most important priority for Great British Railways is reliability. If trains don’t run on time, nothing else will matter. You need to gain trust from customers.”

“GBR needs to work continuously to enlarge and improve the network and attract more passengers, not just to maintain the existing network.”

Please do fill in the survey – it will take around 10 minutes and you don’t need any special knowledge of how the railways are run.

We will share the survey results with key decision makers in government and the rail industry, and through our public campaigning. And while we can’t guarantee what this will lead to, Campaign for Better Transport has a track record of successfully making change happen.

Let’s seize this opportunity to improve rail for everyone.