West Midlands trains return to public ownership to boost regional connectivity
It's hoped to link communities, support local jobs, and strengthen the Midlands economy
From this Sunday, passengers traveling on London Northwestern Railway (LNR) and West Midlands Railway (WMR) will be using services run by publicly owned operators, marking a major step towards a simpler, integrated rail system under Great British Railways (GBR).
The transfer means half of all rail journeys overseen by GBR will now be operated by publicly owned services. These trains connect communities from Liverpool to London and across the Midlands, helping over 640 million passengers reach work, school, and other opportunities each year.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the move ensures services are “run with the public’s interests at heart."
She added: “From this Sunday, the thousands of passengers who travel with London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway will be using services that are owned by the public and run with their interests at heart.
“We’re working hard to reform a fragmented system and deliver a reliable railway that regenerates communities, rebuilds the trust of its passengers, and delivers the high standards they rightly expect.”
Ian McConnell, managing director of West Midlands Trains, highlighted the potential of public ownership to strengthen collaboration with other publicly operated services, improve performance, and expand innovations such as new stations, upgraded depots, and “Pay-As-You-Go” ticketing across 75 locations.
Local leaders also welcomed the move. Sarah Moorhouse, CEO of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, emphasised the importance of reliable rail connections for regional business growth, while West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker called it a chance to create an integrated transport system offering smoother, more affordable journeys for passengers.
Publicly operated services are already showing improvements, with better punctuality and fewer cancellations, more new trains, and enhanced ticketing options that allow passengers to travel seamlessly across operators during disruptions.
The milestone aligns with ongoing legislation to establish Great British Railways, which will oversee a coordinated, reliable, and cost-effective network, accountable to passengers and designed to strengthen communities across the country.