Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Rail Reform

05 November 2025 · Department for Transport

Proposed by Heidi Alexander Lab Swindon South

Transport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The statement addresses the need for urgent reform of Britain's railways.
  • I am introducing the Railways Bill to Parliament, which will establish GBR as a single organisation.
  • The bill aims to simplify fares and ticketing, create a Passenger Watchdog, and enhance devolved leaders' roles in decision-making.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the need for urgent reform of Britain's railways and introduces the Railways Bill, which aims to create Great British Railways (GBR), a new publicly owned company to oversee rail operations.

Action requested

I am introducing the Railways Bill to Parliament, which will establish GBR as a single organisation responsible for operating and improving the railway network. The bill also includes measures to simplify fares and ticketing, create a Passenger Watchdog, and enhance devolved leaders' roles in decision-making.

Key facts

  • The Railways Bill aims to transform Britain’s railways with the creation of Great British Railways (GBR).
  • GBR will consolidate the work of 17 different organisations into one entity.
  • A Passenger Watchdog will set standards and resolve disputes.
  • England’s mayors, Scottish Ministers, and Welsh Ministers will have enhanced roles in decision-making.
  • The Accessibility Roadmap focuses on delivering immediate improvements for disabled passengers.
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