The UK government has unveiled the next three train operators that will return to public ownership, as ministers push ahead with the phased dismantling of private rail franchises.
The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that Greater Anglia services will be renationalised first, on 12 October 2025, followed by West Midlands Trains on 1 February 2026, and Govia Thameslink on 31 May 2026.
It marks the latest step in the government’s plan to bring the railways under public control as existing management contracts with private companies expire. The process is already underway, with South Western Railway and c2c having been transferred earlier in 2025.
Looking ahead, the DfT said that Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railway will also be brought back into public hands, with transport secretary Heidi Alexander to decide the timing “in due course”.
By the end of 2027, all passenger services contracted with the DfT are expected to be nationalised. These operators will eventually be integrated into Great British Railways (GBR), the new public body that will oversee the network’s day-to-day running. Legislation to establish GBR is due to be introduced in Parliament within months.
