by Xinhua writers Zheng Bofei, Larry Neild

LONDON, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The British government has announced plans to renationalize three major rail operators in 2025, marking the Labour government's most significant shift in railway policy since coming to power earlier this year.

The move, aimed at addressing decades of inefficiencies and fragmentation, has drawn both praise and criticism from experts and stakeholders.

The renationalization process will begin with the South Western Railway in May 2025, followed by the c2c Railway in July, and the Greater Anglia Railway in the autumn. These operators will be brought under public control through a newly established body -- Great British Railways (GBR).

The government plans to capitalize on expiring contracts to avoid compensation payments to private operators, a strategy Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described as "pragmatic and cost-effective."

In an interview with the BBC, Alexander emphasized that renationalization is a "first step" toward creating a more integrated and reliable railway system. "We've had private train-operating companies running train services in this country over the last few decades, and it clearly hasn't worked. This move aims to improve reliability and clamp down on delays, cancellations, waste, and inefficiency," she said.

Britain's railway network has long faced criticism for its fragmentation, with multiple private operators managing different routes, complicating timetables, fares, and ticketing systems for passengers.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Dr. Chen Chia-Lin, an associate professor at the University of Liverpool, told Xinhua that renationalization is both necessary and challenging. "The primary goal is to address the fragmentation and inefficiencies that have plagued the system. Public ownership could improve coordination in infrastructure development, investment, and operations while ensuring greater accountability," she said.

However, Chen cautioned that financial sustainability is a key concern. "The government must balance affordability with reliability. Simply bringing the railways into public ownership doesn't guarantee success. Bold, strategic reforms are needed to modernize the aging network and make it more attractive to passengers."

The Labour government estimates that renationalization could save 150 million pounds annually in management fees. Chen nevertheless stressed that operational efficiency and public trust are critical. "If the government cannot deliver better service, we risk reverting to the same fragmented system. This move must be part of a larger strategy to align rail reforms with climate goals and Net Zero targets," she added.

SKEPTICAL SENTIMENT

While the government argues that renationalization will enhance reliability and reduce inefficiencies, critics remain skeptical. Andy Bagnall, CEO of Rail Partners, which represents private train operators, told the BBC, "Simply changing who runs the trains won't deliver more reliable and affordable services for passengers or reduce subsidies for taxpayers."

However, Alexander defended the policy, highlighting the importance of public control for strategic planning and service improvements.

"The government has to take control to serve the public interest, but this doesn't mean everything should be directly operated by the government. We must strike the right balance between public oversight and private sector efficiency," she said.

British railways were first nationalized in 1948 under British Rail and later privatized in the 1990s to foster competition and efficiency. While privatization led to increased passenger numbers, it eventually resulted in inefficiencies, high fares, and fragmentation. The current renationalization represents an attempt to address these issues.

"Privatization increased passenger numbers, but it failed to deliver the cohesive and reliable network people expected," Chen noted. "This renationalization isn't an experiment but a reform, building on lessons from both public and private ownership models."

The move has raised expectations among the public, especially commuters frustrated by years of delays and cancellations. Chen addressed these sentiments by warning that failure to improve the system could further erode public trust.

"The government must deliver tangible improvements, such as modernizing infrastructure, reducing fares, and expanding the network to meet climate and economic goals," she said. Enditem

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