Cambridgeshire train operator brought under public control
Govia Thameslink Railway services have been nationalised from today
There could be faster and more reliable trains from now on in Cambridgeshire after a rail company has been taken into public control.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) - Britain's largest train operator which runs services between the north and the south coast - follows Greater Anglia in becoming nationalised as the Government looks to improve services.
It comes as the first train branded under Great British Railways (GBR) was unveiled in Brighton this month.
"The unveiling of the first GBR-branded train makes the future of Britain’s railways a reality," Heidi Alexander, transport secretary, said.
"It represents all of the work being done by staff up and down the country to fundamentally reform our railway.
'This isn't just a paint job'
"This isn’t just a paint job – it’s an important step towards building a more joined‑up, publicly owned railway that puts passengers first, delivers better services and leaves the frustrations and fragmentation of the past behind."
Chiltern Railways services are expected to follow into public ownership, with Great Western Railways due to be nationalised in December.
The Government hopes this summer, eight in 10 passenger rail journeys will be owned by the public.
It's expected that GTR train services, timetables and jobs will be unaffected by the move to Great British Railways.
By nationalising train services under GBR, the Government aims to make rail travel "smoother, simpler and easier to navigate, whether travelling for work, weekends away or spur-of-the-moment summer holidays."
'Trains are too expensive'
Some rail commuters we've been speaking to have shared mixed views on the nationalisation of British railways.
"I think it's a good idea; (I'd like to see) less breakdowns," one woman told us.
"Buses are too expensive and trains are too expensive," a man said.
Suzy, who regularly travels between London and Huntingdon on the GTR line, believes "there's always a problem" with train services.
"I don't think it (nationalisation) will make the slightest bit of difference," she said.
Legislation to establish GBR has already been introduced in Parliament since the King's Speech.
"We’re very pleased to be the first train operator to have a Great British Railways-branded train on our network," John Whitehurst, chief operating officer at GTR, said.
"It’s a significant milestone at GTR, which reflects our readiness for change and the improvements we’ve already been delivering for customers.
"Our priorities remain providing safe and reliable services every day, with customers, colleagues and communities at the heart of everything we do."