A Bill to require the Secretary of State to assume control of passenger rail franchises when they come up for renewal; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
30 March 2015
The Railways Bill would require the Secretary of State to take over responsibility for passenger rail franchises when their contracts come up for renewal, rather than allowing private operators to run them. It aims to place the operation of passenger rail services under direct government control and to set out the transition and other related arrangements needed. It also provides for connected measures to support this public-control approach.
The bill is at the 2nd Reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move on to the Committee stage and then to the Lords for consideration.
Generated 21 February 2026
This Bill was presented to Parliament on 7 July 2014. This is known as the first reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.
The 2014-15 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.