| Fourth operator to be renationalised is chosen - West Midlands Trains, Feb 2026 Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:10, 30th July 2025 |     |
From RailNews:
The fourth former franchise to be renationalised will be West Midlands Trains in February 2026. South Western Railway and c2c have already been transferred from the private sector to the DfT, and Greater Anglia will follow in October.
West Midlands Trains, which is owned by Transport UK Group and Mitsui, has been told by the DfT that its present National Rail Contract will end on 1 February next year.
WMT has been operating under two brands – West Midlands Railway for Birmingham and the surrounding areas, and London Northwestern for longer distance services between Liverpool, Crewe and London Euston, as well as branch lines to Bedford and St Albans Abbey.
WMT managing director Ian McConnell said: ’I am extremely proud of what we have achieved … delivering a £1 billion investment in two new train fleets and delivering significantly improved performance which has transformed rail travel for millions of customers. As we transition to a publicly owned railway, our focus remains on delivering an outstanding service.’
West Midlands Trains, which is owned by Transport UK Group and Mitsui, has been told by the DfT that its present National Rail Contract will end on 1 February next year.
WMT has been operating under two brands – West Midlands Railway for Birmingham and the surrounding areas, and London Northwestern for longer distance services between Liverpool, Crewe and London Euston, as well as branch lines to Bedford and St Albans Abbey.
WMT managing director Ian McConnell said: ’I am extremely proud of what we have achieved … delivering a £1 billion investment in two new train fleets and delivering significantly improved performance which has transformed rail travel for millions of customers. As we transition to a publicly owned railway, our focus remains on delivering an outstanding service.’
