Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024

This Act establishes a framework for the public ownership and operation of passenger railway services across the UK. Rather than allowing private train operating companies to run services under franchise agreements, the legislation enables the government to bring railway lines into public ownership as franchises expire or are terminated. The Act aims to give the state direct control over rail operations, fares, service quality, and investment decisions, with the stated goal of improving passenger experience and reducing reliance on private profitdriven operators.