Government unveils plan to renationalise rail and bus services

Key Points:

Rail and bus services are set to be brought back into public hands as part of a sweeping renationalisation plan by the new Government. The move aims to prioritize passengers and boost the economy.

What to expect:

The plan includes establishing Great British Railways, a new body that will unify track and train operations, undoing the reforms of the 1990s where private operators took over the running of trains from the state.

Improved services:

Great British Railways will introduce digital ticketing and automatic compensation across the network, with a focus on delivering high-quality services for passengers and freight.

Local control:

Local leaders will be given the power to take control of their bus services, with plans to reform the bus system based on successful models like that of Labour Mayor Andy Burnham in Manchester.

Benefits for communities:

The Government aims to cut red tape to bring improved bus services to communities across England faster, with areas like Cambridgeshire, Liverpool, Peterborough, and West Yorkshire identified for early schemes.