Draft Rail Reform Bill in the King’s Speech

The government has included a Draft Rail Reform Bill in the King’s Speech which sets out some of the key pillars of industry reform including the creation of Great British Railways. A Parliamentary committee will oversee pre-legislative scrutiny of the provisions of the Bill.

Andrew Haines, Great British Railways Transition Team Lead, said: “Today we had a clear statement from government that they are committed to reform and that Great British Railways remains the end destination. Progressing with scrutiny of the legislation will help aid its swift passage when parliamentary time allows. 

“The work of the Great British Railways Transition Team is already supporting a greater whole-railway approach to tackling big challenges like attracting passengers back and reducing rail’s cost to taxpayers. While we await the legislation to create Great British Railways in full, the transition team will be working in even closer collaboration across the industry to foster whole-railway thinking and, as far as possible, to realise the benefits of a guiding mind today.”

In the King’s Speech briefing notes, it says “the draft Rail Reform Bill sets a bold vision for future rail customers – of punctual and reliable services, simpler tickets and a modern and innovative railway that meets the needs of the nation. It helps deliver on the 2019 manifesto commitment by bringing forward the biggest rail reform programme in a generation to create a simpler, more effective rail system.”

It adds that “given the scale and complexity of the changes being made to the sector, it is right that the draft Bill undergoes pre-legislative scrutiny to provide Parliamentarians and experts across industry the opportunity to review and test the legislation in draft. This will allow for a swifter passage through Parliament when the legislation is brought forward.”

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association, said: “We welcome the news that this Draft Bill has been included in the King’s Speech. The Railway Industry Association and 70 of our members campaigned on this earlier this year, writing to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, about the need to take the establishment of Great British Railways forward, to provide some certainty about rail restructure and avoid hiatus in decision-making.

“And so whilst we would have wanted a full Transport Bill providing for GBR, today’s inclusion of a Draft Bill does seem to be progress and a statement of Government intent to reform rail, ultimately bringing track and train closer together, and developing a “guiding mind” and a long-term plan for the railways. We urge the Government to begin the pre-legislative scrutiny process without delay. At a time when passenger numbers and revenues are encouragingly growing back to pre Covid levels, the Government now needs to push on with any and all measures which help build a vibrant, world-class railway for the future, and avoids any hint of so-called managed decline when it comes to the future of UK rail.”

It says that while primary legislation is needed to establish Great British Railways, many reforms and tangible benefits for rail users are being delivered now. This includes simplifying fares and continuing the rollout of Pay As You Go and barcode ticketing, building local partnerships, a new Rail Freight Growth Target, simplifying industry practices, improving rail contracts and delivering workforce reforms.

Rail Partners’ Chief Executive, Andy Bagnall, said: “The recommitment to establishing Great British Railways with the publication of a draft bill is a step forward, but it is a missed opportunity to not actually legislate in this Parliament.

“The rail industry has been awaiting progress on reform since the Williams Review started over five years ago, culminating in the Plan for Rail being published in 2021. Delivering that plan remains the best foundation to build a better railway for Britain, and not seizing the moment now means continuing uncertainty until after the next General Election.

“It is now even more urgent for government and industry to redouble efforts to deliver improvements for passengers and freight customers, as well as taxpayers, that can be taken forward without legislation, such as allowing operators more freedom to attract passengers back to rail and setting an ambitious target for growth of rail freight.”

Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said: “Many of the much-needed transport laws promised in the current Parliamentary session have once again failed to materialise. Although we welcome the prospect of a new Automated Vehicles Bill, it is disappointing that the Government has only presented a draft Rail Reform Bill, effectively leaving any prospect of reform this side of the General Election stuck in the sidings. It is also a shame to have no further clarity on micromobility legislation or the necessary powers to reform our buses.

“Our city regions need clarity and certainty so they can properly plan and deliver world class transport services which create growth and access to opportunity.”

David Pitt, Vice President of UK Rail at SilverRail, said: “We welcome the long awaited legislation that will finally place Great British Railways on the statute books and put in place the necessary guiding mind. We see the Bill as being a fantastic springboard for setting up real competition in rail retailing, allowing customers to benefit from far more innovation. For too long, existing legislation has kept the retail market too rigid and we look forward to the customer now experiencing some real choice.”

Photo credit: PA Media

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