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Transfer of c2c’s Services into Public Ownership

I can confirm to the House that this Sunday, 20 July, the government will take another step towards a unified railway overseen by Great British Railways (GBR), as c2c’s services become the second to transfer into public ownership under new legislation. From Sunday, operations will be run by a new public sector operator – c2c Railway Limited – a subsidiary of public corporation DfT Operator Limited (DFTO).

This means that from this Sunday, there will be six public sector operators running services which were previously franchised. Greater Anglia’s services will be next to transfer on 12 October 2025.

This weekend therefore marks another significant step in our plans to meet our manifesto commitment to tackle the current fragmented network and create a more efficient, reliable railway with passengers at its heart. Over the next two and a half years, we will be transferring all passenger services currently delivered under contract with the Department into public ownership. This is a vital step which will allow us to consolidate Network Rail, DFTO and 14 train operators into one organisation – GBR.

The Public Ownership Act, passed last year, has been the first step in our plans to reform the railways. I expect to introduce the Railways Bill this Parliamentary session. The Bill will enable the establishment of GBR as a new ‘directing mind’ for the railways, unifying track and train under a single public body to deliver better services for passengers and freight customers, and better value for money for taxpayers.

Instead of having to navigate 14 separate train operators, passengers will once again simply be able to use “the railway”. They will travel on GBR trains, running on GBR tracks, and working to a GBR timetable. That will mean fewer delays, a better overall experience, and a timetable that better serves their needs.