Landmark Railways Bill Introduced to Establish Great British Railways

Historic Legislation for UK Rail Reform

The United Kingdom government today, November 5, 2025, introduced the landmark Railways Bill to Parliament. This pivotal legislation is set to transform Britain's railway system by establishing Great British Railways (GBR), a new publicly owned company. GBR will integrate the management of passenger services and rail infrastructure, a move described as uniting 'track and train' for the first time in three decades.

Headquartered in Derby, GBR is envisioned to create a simpler, more unified railway that prioritises passengers, freight customers, and taxpayers. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the introduction of this legislation is 'a major step towards a rail network that supports Britain's businesses and delivers for the travelling public'.

Key Provisions and Responsibilities of GBR

The Railways Bill outlines a comprehensive mandate for GBR, which will assume significant responsibilities currently spread across various entities. Its core functions will include:

• Unified Management: GBR will coordinate the entire rail system, encompassing track, train operations, cost, and revenue. It will absorb functions from Network Rail, the Rail Delivery Group, and parts of the Department for Transport.
• Passenger Focus: A new one-stop-shop website and app will replace the 14 existing operator ticketing platforms, simplifying ticket purchasing and journey planning. The Bill also establishes a strengthened passenger watchdog with robust investigatory powers to champion improvements and advocate for passengers' interests.
• Accessibility and Freight: The legislation includes a statutory passenger and accessibility duty, ensuring GBR considers the needs of disabled passengers. An accessibility roadmap, published alongside the Bill, details immediate actions to improve services. Furthermore, GBR will have a duty to promote and grow rail freight, with the Transport Secretary setting a freight growth target.
• Localised Decision-Making: Devolved governments and England's mayors will be granted a statutory role, providing them with a greater say in shaping local rail services and improving regional connectivity.

Context and Future Outlook

The introduction of the Railways Bill builds upon the government's public ownership programme, which commenced on December 4, 2024. Several train services, including South Western Railway, c2c, and Greater Anglia, have already transitioned into public ownership under new legislation. West Midlands Trains and Govia Thameslink Railways are scheduled to follow in 2026, with all transfers expected by the end of 2027.

GBR is anticipated to become fully operational approximately 12 months after the Bill receives Royal Assent, though its formal establishment is not expected earlier than late 2026. The new entity aims to end the fragmentation of the past and foster a more integrated, accountable, and efficient railway system for Great Britain.