Two more rail operators move into public ownership

London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway transferred to public ownership on 1 February, marking the halfway point toward the planned launch of Great British Railways; they join c2c, South Western Railways and Greater Anglia.

Two train companies have moved into public ownership. London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway, both franchises of West Midlands Trains, transferred on Sunday 1 February. The move is described as the halfway point toward the creation of Great British Railways, a nationalised body that will replace the current system of private operators running on public infrastructure. The Department for Transport said the change aims to create an integrated rail network that passengers can rely on. Key facts: - London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway were transferred to public ownership on 1 February. - London Northwestern Railway services include routes between Liverpool and Birmingham and services on the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston. - West Midlands Railway serves destinations across the West Midlands via Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill. - West Midlands Trains is the fourth operator to enter public ownership, following c2c, South Western Railways and Greater Anglia. - The transfer was described as the halfway point in the creation of Great British Railways, with half of the journeys the new body will oversee now running under public control. Summary: The transfer increases the share of rail journeys run by public operators and is presented by officials as a step toward an integrated national network. Local leaders in the West Midlands welcomed the change and linked it to regional plans that include changes to bus franchising. The phased process toward the planned launch of Great British Railways will continue.