Thank you to everyone who contacted me about the upcoming Railways Bill. The Bill is making its way through parliament and is currently at the Report Stage in the House of Commons where MPs can consider the changes made during the Committee Stage and propose further amendments. It will stay here before moving to its Third Reading.
The UK needs a modern, safe, affordable, and efficient railway system. The railway enables millions to travel for work, leisure, or tourism, and shifts millions of tons of freight. It is a deep part of our shared culture and an essential part of our economy. For 200 years, it has driven economic growth, forged new towns, opened new markets, and helped Britain to boom.
I share the Government’s ambition for a modern railway, linking our communities, and run in the public interest, not for profit. That must include accessible, safe stations and carriages, a ticketing system that makes sense, with fair prices, and decent working conditions for staff.
The Railways Bill, currently going through Parliament, seeks to deliver all of this, representing the biggest shake-up of our railways in a generation. It will create Great British Railways (GBR), bringing track and train operations together. The Government has already passed legislation that allows operators to be brought into public ownership as their contracts end.
I know people want to see improved ticketing. The numerous train operator websites and ticket types can confuse passengers and cost more. That’s why I am pleased the Bill combines all of these into one GBR system. In the future, GBR will sell tickets directly to customers, both online and in person, at ticket offices, via machines, and on trains.
It is positive that this has been combined with the first freeze in rail fares for 30 years. This is easing the pressure on household finances and making travelling to work, school, or to visit friends and family that bit easier, which I warmly welcome.
I recognise the importance of accessible transport to enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. I am pleased the Government is clear it will seek every opportunity to improve accessibility across the network. This has been set out in its recently published Integrated Transport Strategy, for example.
More widely, I agree investment in the rail network is essential and well overdue. By bringing train operations into public hands, Ministers can save up to £150 million a year in management fees, which can be reinvested in our services.
I am following the progression of the Railways Bill through Parliament closely and look forward to seeing it deliver significant benefits for passengers. Thank you once again to everyone who contacted me about this important issue.