Two thirds of rail passengers oppose full nationalisation of the UK network

Only 32% of railway users in the UK believe it current standards meet passenger needs, with eight out of ten acknowledging a need for significant investment.

However, a recent study has revealed that a majority of rail passengers are not in favour of fully nationalising the UK’s rail network.

The survey, which polled 2,000 train users, found that over half believe a mix of nationalised and ‘Open Access’ services – where multiple operators run on the same routes – is the optimal model.

According to the findings, 60% think that more competition could lead to lower fares, improved service frequency, more reliable trains, and an overall better customer experience.

An overwhelming 70% of respondents want the freedom to choose their train operator, and 67% think that having a broader selection of operators on major routes would benefit passengers. Alarmingly, nearly 40% of British train travellers consciously avoid certain operators due to their poor punctuality or frequent cancellations.

Virgin Group’s rail project leader Phil Whittingham, whose company commissioned the research amidst ongoing debates in Westminster about the future of railway competition, commented: “This research shows that consumers value having a choice about who to travel with.”

He added, “As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, we have an opportunity to be more ambitious about how train travel serves passengers across Great Britain.”

The findings come amid ongoing debates in Westminster concerning the future of railway competition. The Department for Transport expressed last month that while it recognises the advantages Open Access services can offer, such as enhanced connectivity and options for passengers, these benefits must outweigh the costs to taxpayers and operational impacts.

Recently, a discussion on the future of Open Access services was held in the House of Commons, and the All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group conducted a session on the significance of an independent regulator overseeing operators’ access to the rail network.

Virgin Group has lodged an application to launch 40 new daily services on the West Coast Main Line, potentially adding 13,680 seats for commuters travelling to Birmingham, Liverpool, Preston and Rochdale. These proposed services would operate alongside the existing ones on the line.

The idea of Open Access train operators isn’t novel – several such operators are already functioning in the UK, running parallel to the incumbent government-contracted train operators.

In contrast to franchised operators, Open Access companies shoulder the full commercial risk of their services without receiving any government payments or subsidies. Moreover, these operators are liable for track access fees and infrastructure charges.

A decision on the Open Access applications submitted in May 2024 is anticipated from the Office of Rail and Road later this month.

Phil Whittingham stated: “Great care has been taken in developing Virgin’s Open Access application and we are confident that the proposed services will bring value for money for customers and taxpayers alike.”