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for a better railway
Rail Partners exists to make the railway better by harnessing the expertise and creativity of private sector operators for the benefit of those who use the railway, passengers and freight customers, and those who pay for it, including taxpayers.
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Our partners are international transport companies delivering passenger and freight services globally.
Response to Royal Assent of the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill
Insights blog
A statement on the future of Rail Partners
14 November 2024
Rail Partners and its founding members – the owning groups of passenger train companies – have taken the decision not to continue providing services after the end of this financial year.
Our trade body was established by its passenger owning group members following the 2021 Williams Plan for Rail, to help deliver a better railway for customers and taxpayers within the framework envisaged by the previous Government – a reinvigorated public-private partnership where Great British Railways would harness train companies to deliver services.
That vision has not materialised. Following the general election earlier this year, in contrast to the Williams Plan, the new government has instead legislated to nationalise DfT-contracted train operations – the vast majority of services in Britain. The Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill’s passage through the Houses of Parliament is almost complete and it will soon be receiving Royal Assent.
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