DFTO Transition Timeline

Following an announcement on 4 December 2024. SWR will be the first company to be taken into public ownership on May 25 2025, when its national rail contract expires, followed by c2c on July 20 and Greater Anglia in the autumn. 

In a written statement to Parliament, Alexander said, “Following Greater Anglia, the programme will continue with the transfer of one operator’s services roughly every three months." The table below will be updated when new information becomes available. 

Source: DfT, Public register of rail passenger contracts

*Note: The expected nationalisation dates for operators beyond South Western Railway and c2c are estimates. They rely on the government's power to end contracts on or after the core term expiry date with proper notice, aiming to complete the process by October 2027.

Under section 2(3) of the 2024 act, the government can extend contracts temporarily for a smoother transition to a public sector operator. The government also has existing powers to strip an operator of their contract due to poor performance, financial irregularities, or otherwise breaching their contract.

DfT Operator Limited, a publicly owned company, will assume ownership of train operators in England.

The forthcoming Railways Bill is now open for consultation, which closes at 11:59 pm on 15 April 2025. Once passed, it will enable the establishment of the Great British Railways (GBR), which will then be responsible for running train services and managing railway infrastructure.