Chiltern Railways transfer to public ownership confirmed
The Department for Transport has formally confirmed that Chiltern Railways services are now in public ownership. Operations transferred on 20 September to Chiltern Rail Limited, a subsidiary of the public corporation DfT Operator Limited.
Ten of the fourteen English passenger operators working under Department for Transport contracts are now publicly owned. The government says Chiltern will pursue more modern trains, additional services and more comfortable journeys, while public ownership may also support delivery of East West Rail.
Great Western Railway is scheduled to transfer on 13 December 2026, followed by Avanti West Coast on 7 March 2027. The wider programme is due to finish by the end of 2027. The Railways Bill would then create Great British Railways to bring track and train management into one publicly owned body.
Source
- Department for Transport, 13 October 2026
