GovWire

This white paper sets out our plan for a revolution on the railways in Great Britain. It is based on the shared vision of Keith Williams, the independent Chair of the Rail Review, and the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, the Secretary of State for Transport, to put rail on the right track to support the levelling up of our towns, cities and regions.

It shows how the government will make railways the backbone of a cleaner, more environmentally friendly and modern public transport system across the country.

By replacing franchising, accelerating innovation and integrating the railways, we will deliver an efficient, financially sustainable railway that meets the needs of passengers and those who rely on rail on a daily basis.

Update on centralised Great British Railways online rail ticket retailer: December 2023

As set out in the white paper, we are committed to improving passenger experience on the railways.

The private sector plays an important role in driving innovation and attracting more customers to the railway. As stated in the Bradshaw Address, we are focused on opening uprailway data and systems, lowering barriers to entry for independent railticketretailers to improve passenger experience. We are confirming that we are not pursuing plans to deliver a centralised Great British Railwaysonlinerailticketretailer.

Train operators will continue toretailto passengersonlinealongside existing third-partyretailers while we develop measures to spur further competition in theonlinerailticketretailmarket to make things better for passengers.