Decision on timeline to bring GWR into public ownership to be made in 'due course'

A decision on the timeline to bring Great Western Railway (GWR) into public ownership is set to be made in ‘due course’, the Government has said.

The Department for Transport is working through a programme to bring passenger services back into public control, following 30 years of privatisation.

The move is expected to see all passenger services operating under contracts with the department return to public ownership by the end of 2027.

The services are being transferred after contracts reach the end of their minimum term.

They will then eventually be integrated into Great British Railways.

In an interview with BBC Radio Cornwall this week, GWR’s managing director Mark Hopwood said the timeline looks set to see the train operator move into public ownership ‘in about a year’s time’.

He told the station: “In about a year’s time, based on what’s been said in the last few days, it looks like we’ll be transferring from being a private organisation, into the public sector.”

In May, South Western Railway (SWR)’s services became the first to be transferred back under public ownership.

This was followed by c2c’s transition in July.

This week, the Government announced the timeline for Greater Anglia services, Midlands Train services and Govia Thameslink Railway’s services, which will be transferred on October 12, February 1, 2026, and May 31, 2026, respectively.

It was also announced that Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railway services are ‘expected to follow’, with the Secretary of State for Transport set to make the final decisions ‘on when exactly this will happen in due course’.

A GWR spokesman said: "It has always been clear that GWR would be towards the end of the government's programme, so the latest suggested timelines are no real surprise.

“We continue to work closely with the Department for Transport and await formal confirmation of the relevant dates for GWR.

“In the meantime, our focus remains on providing the best possible service for customers, while ensuring we deliver value for taxpayers both now and in the future.”

Elsewhere GWR has revealed an increase in its off-peak fares to London Paddington.

For Maidenhead, the off-peak day return has risen by £1 from £17.20 to £18.20.

The cost of the anytime single ticket will remain at £16.40.

For Slough, the off-peak day return has increased by 80p from £14.20 to £15, with the anytime single ticket remaining at £12.60.

Peak time fares have not been increased.

A spokesperson for GWR said: “Great Western Railway is committed to delivering value for money for taxpayers.

“We continuously monitor our prices to ensure we strike the right balance between affordable public transport and responsible stewardship of public funds – delivering the best value for money for passengers and taxpayers alike.”