The government has today (Feb 18) opened a consultation on a new Railways Bill, describing it as a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to create a unified, simpler railway that puts passengers first.

A key element of ‘A railway fit for Britain’s future’ is the creation of Great British Railways (GBR), a body tasked with bringing track and train together, delivering reliable services for passengers, and catalysing growth across the country.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is now seeking views on its proposed reforms, which also include:

• The establishment of a new passenger watchdog;

• Reform of fares and online retail of tickets;

• A new statutory role for devolved leaders in governing, managing, planning and developing the rail network;

• Streamlining processes and reducing regulatory burdens to empower GBR to to deliver the best service for railway users;

• Ensuring the private sector continues to play a key role, including a statutory duty for GBR to promote rail freight.

Commenting on the consultation announcement, Community Rail Network interim chief executive Bill Freeman said: “We welcome this consultation around the Railways Bill, which represents another important step towards creating a rail network that is more tuned into the needs and aspirations of our communities and is central to a more sustainable transport future.

“We will be scrutinising the bill to ensure it delivers on its commitments to put passengers and community needs at the heart of rail decision-making, and will be encouraging our members to respond with their own valuable insights from across the community rail movement.

“At Community Rail Network, we are engaged in active dialogue with partners in government and the rail industry, to support the development of a more community-focused railway that delivers maximum social, environmental and economic value, now and for generations to come.”

You can read the full DfT press release on the consultation here.

The consultation itself, which is open until April 15, consists of seven chapters, as follows:

1. Chapter 1 – Provides an overview of the new landscape for the rail sector under GBR, including how the organisation will be established and how its objectives will be set and delivered;
2. Chapter 2 – Sets out how a new passenger watchdog will be created to ensure GBR factors the passenger into every decision;
3. Chapter 3 – Describes how the access framework will change under GBR, to maximise the benefits of public ownership and operation;
4. Chapter 4 – Summarises the changes the government are proposing to the financial framework to reflect an integrated, publicly owned railway;
5. Chapter 5 – Sets out GBR’s proposed role in setting fares;
6. Chapter 6 – Explains how GBR will collaborate with devolved governments and Mayoral Strategic Authorities from the outset and be held to account by a statutory duty to do so;
7. Chapter 7 – Contains a proposal to address an existing legislative power gap in relation to train driver licensing and certification, which will enable the government to make amendments to the regime in the future. 

We at Community Rail Network will liaise with the GBR Transition Team, as well as government and industry colleagues, to submit a consultation response that reflects the insights of our members and seizes opportunities to further empower the community rail movement through rail reform.