Train operator back under public control

SWR RETURNED 'TO THE SERVICE OF PASSENGERS'

- By SAM HONEY

HISTORY was made on Sunday as the first train services to return to public control set off, marking an initial step towards the end of the privatisation of the nation's railways.

South Western Railway (SWR) services became the first to return to public ownership thanks to new legislation aiming to re-centralise Britain's trains under one nationally-owned body. Named Great British Railways, the shake-up seeks to vastly improve the service passengers receive day-to-day, increasing reliability while reducing the frequency of delays and cancellations.

Last weekend's new start for SWR begins a move away from 14 siloed train operators, each of whom have their own staff, competing commercial motivations and incentives.

The change in control comes thanks to the passing of the Public Ownership Act last November, which moves the provision of passenger railway services to the public sector and away from franchises.