London NorthWestern and West Midlands railway services return to public ownership

Credit: Department for Transport

From 1 February 2026, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services will return to public ownership, marking a major step towards a unified rail system under Great British Railways (GBR). The move brings over 8,500 daily publicly owned services into operation, helping more than 660 million passengers travel each year while supporting local economies from Liverpool to London and across the Midlands.

Half of all journeys GBR will ultimately manage will now be run by publicly owned operators. The transfer unites the two sides of the West Midlands Trains (WMT) business: London Northwestern Railway, operating between Liverpool, Birmingham and London Euston, and West Midlands Railway, serving destinations across the West Midlands via Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill. This integration aims to provide more reliable, safe and affordable journeys for passengers.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the change prioritises passenger interests, promising a more coherent system and rebuilding trust in rail services. “From this Sunday, passengers will be using services owned by the public and run with their interests at heart,” she said, highlighting the government’s focus on reforming a fragmented network.

WMT Managing Director Ian McConnell said the company has introduced more than 100 new trains, upgraded depots and station facilities, and plans five new stations later this year. “We are rolling out ‘Pay-As-You-Go’ ticketing across 75 locations, enabling seamless travel for our customers,” he said. McConnell emphasised that public ownership provides an opportunity to accelerate innovation, share best practice, and deliver even better journeys.

Local leaders welcomed the transfer. Sarah Moorhouse, CEO of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, highlighted rail’s role in connecting businesses to talent and customers, while West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said it addresses long-standing issues with reliability and ticketing. Parker also noted ongoing work to integrate buses and trams for smoother, affordable public transport across the region.

Mal Drury-Rose, Executive Director of the West Midlands Rail Executive, said public ownership allows closer alignment of customer priorities with regional ambitions, raising service performance and improving the passenger experience. Evidence from other publicly owned operators shows improved punctuality and fewer cancellations. South Western Railway, for example, has quadrupled its fleet since entering public ownership and offers more flexible ticketing during service disruptions. Northern is investing in simulators for driver training and plans up to 450 new trains.

West Midlands Trains joins Greater Anglia, c2c, Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, LNER and South Western Railway under DfT Operator Limited. Govia Thameslink Railway is scheduled to transfer on 31 May 2026, followed by Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railway. The full public ownership programme is expected to complete by the end of 2027, coinciding with legislation establishing GBR to ensure a simpler, more unified railway for Britain’s future.

The transfer reinforces the government’s commitment to a railway “owned by the public, for the public,” with a stronger focus on integration, passenger satisfaction and economic growth across the Midlands, London and beyond.