Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Committee took evidence on rail reform from Department for Transport and Network Rail.
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Transport (the Department) and Network Rail, in its capacity as lead for the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT), about rail reform.1
Government Response Summary
The government outlines its ongoing actions on rail reform, including introducing legislation to bring passenger services into public ownership, announcing further legislation to create Great British Railways, and preparing for the mobilisation of a shadow GBR.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Labour Party manifesto via the rail sector transformation programme. The government has introduced legislation to bring passenger services back into public ownership. Services will transition as existing contracts come to an end or reach their contractual break point as part of a rolling programme, commencing once the bill has Royal Assent. The government has also announced in the King’s Speech that it will bring forward further legislation to create Great British Railways (GBR) – a new arms-length body which will act as a “directing mind” for the railways and ensure the highest standards of customer service and operational performance. It will focus on delivering for passengers and freight customers. The Labour Party’s Getting Britain Moving plan committed to establishing a shadow Great British Railways ahead of legislation. The department is now preparing for the mobilisation of shadow GBR which will facilitate closer working between the senior leaders of Rail Services Group (RSG) in Department for Transport, Department for Transport Operator of Last Resort Holdings Limited (DOHL) and Network Rail (NR) to drive improvements for passengers, freight and the taxpayer. The department will set out next steps shortly. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) will provide assurance of the rail sector transformation programme delivery plan.