2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the UK rail industry, as momentum builds behind the journey towards Great British Railways. With reform accelerating, the seven train operators already in public ownership are firmly at the forefront—setting out a series of bold, practical plans that underline how public control is already translating into delivery on the ground.
At Northern, the focus will remain on its ambitious ‘30 by 30’ plan, launched in November and built on a clear, data‑driven strategy to grow annual customer journeys by 30 million by the end of the decade. The approach centres on sustainable, long‑term growth through three core pillars: organic demand, improved performance and targeted interventions. Each of these strands is forecast to deliver 10 million additional customer journeys, reinforcing Northern’s confidence in steady, evidence‑based expansion rather than short‑term fixes.
South Western Railway is pressing ahead with a major programme of fleet and timetable transformation. By the end of summer 2026, the operator expects to have introduced three‑quarters of its planned Arterio schedules—marking a step‑change in both service reliability and capacity. This builds on strong momentum since South Western Railway entered public ownership in May 2025, with 30 Arterio trains already in service delivering a 12% increase in weekday suburban capacity into London Waterloo during the morning peak.
Southeastern is continuing to invest heavily in its existing fleet, with a comprehensive programme of modernisation and refurbishment now underway. All 36 Class 376 trains are receiving a mid‑life interior and exterior refresh, alongside upgrade works to the Class 395 fleet. In parallel, work has begun to replace the ageing Metro fleet, laying the foundations for a more reliable and customer‑focused network across south east London and Kent.
On the Essex Thameside route, c2c is using station investment to tackle long‑standing pinch points. At Barking station, a new ticket office and gateline have opened, while refurbishment of the lifts on platforms one and two is progressing. These improvements will increase station capacity and reduce congestion, while also restoring the architectural features of London’s only Grade II‑listed 1950s railway station.
Greater Anglia will focus on sustaining its strong performance while delivering a package of high‑profile station improvements alongside key partners. This includes the opening of Cambridge South station in the summer, the launch of a new accessible footbridge at Stowmarket, and the completion of the station upgrade project at Wickford. The operator will also continue working closely with colleagues at c2c and Network Rail Anglia to unlock further benefits for customers through closer collaboration.
On the East Coast Main Line, LNER’s recently expanded timetable is set to transform connectivity in 2026. By adding thousands of additional services and seats, the operator aims to unlock new opportunities for the regions it serves, delivering an estimated £105 million in annual economic, social and environmental benefits.
Meanwhile, TransPennine Express will continue the roll‑out of dedicated Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), strengthening safety and reassurance across the network. These PCSOs provide a visible and approachable presence, supporting staff with low‑level incidents, delivering high‑visibility patrols and acting as a direct link to the British Transport Police. Five PCSOs are already active, with a further three due to join the network in February.
These forward‑looking plans follow a year of significant change in 2025, during which c2c, South Western Railway and Greater Anglia all transferred into public ownership. Alongside structural reform, publicly owned operators agreed a new cross‑operator ticket acceptance scheme to help keep passengers moving during disruption, while also expanding the availability of Advance Purchase fares covering journeys with more than one operator.
The expansion of public ownership will continue into 2026. On Sunday 1 February, West Midlands Trains—operator of London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services—will join the public sector. This will be followed by Govia Thameslink Railway, operator of Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express services, which transfers on Sunday 31 May.
Together, these developments point to a year where reform, investment and operational delivery move increasingly in step—marking 2026 as a defining chapter for Britain’s railway and the people who run it.
Image credit: DfT
