UK government takes over Govia Thameslink Railway in rail reform push

The government has taken control of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the UK’s largest train operator. The move brings the company into public ownership, marking a major shift in how rail services are managed across the South East.

The decision follows a broader plan to reform the railways under Great British Railways (GBR), a new public body set to oversee both tracks and trains for the first time since privatisation in the 1990s. GTR operates one in six train journeys in the UK, covering large parts of south-east England and beyond. The Department for Transport has announced several changes, including doubling the frequency of Gatwick Express services from December. More early morning trains will also run on Saturdays and Mondays starting this summer.

The government has promised improvements across the network. This includes deploying 110 new travel safe officers to reduce anti-social behaviour. Plans are also in place to tackle graffiti in Thameslink train toilets and upgrade signalling between Farringdon and Blackfriars to cut delays.

John Whitehurst, GTR’s chief operating officer, said public ownership gives the company a chance to improve services for millions of passengers. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the change, stating that trains will now run for public benefit rather than private profit.

GTR is the fifth operator to return to public hands, with the full transition expected by the end of next year. The shift aligns with the creation of GBR, which will bring tracks and trains under a single organisation for the first time in decades. The nationalisation of GTR means more government control over one of the UK’s busiest rail networks. Passengers can expect increased services, better security, and upgrades to reduce delays.

The move is part of a wider effort to reform the railways, with GBR set to take charge of infrastructure and operations in the coming years.