All Change
Shining alight on the human side of the railway
Though it’s only been a few weeks since the new Labour Government took office, it’s already clear rail is at the heart of its agenda. Included in the King’s Speech was Labour’s proposal, as featured in its manifesto, to bring most passenger services into public ownership within five years.
Opinion polls suggest the policy is a popular one. According to one poll, conducted back in May, 54% of respondents said they supported the renationalisation of rail, while only 13% were opposed to it. Just under half (49%) said they felt it would lead to a better service for passengers.
The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, which, if passed, will nationalise services as franchises end, is already before Parliament. But the process of change can’t stop there – and there’s now an important window of opportunity for the industry to actively shape this conversation.
CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM
It’s certainly positive that the Government has put UK rail at the centre of its legislative agenda. The need for reform is widely acknowledged throughout the industry, even if there are – inevitably – widely differing views as to what form it should take.
Lou…
