Chiltern Railways (2026)
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Main regions | East Midlands East of England Greater London South East England West Midlands |
| Parent company | DfT Operator |
| Reporting mark | CH |
| Predecessor | Chiltern Railways |
| Other | |
| Website | www.chilternrailways.co.uk |
Chiltern Railways is a future state-owned British train operating company that is scheduled to take over the services of the operator of the same name from Arriva UK Trains on 20 September 2026.
History
In the lead up to the 2024 United Kingdom general election, the Labour Party of Keir Starmer committed itself to bring the passenger operations of the British rail network back under state ownership.[1][2] Following its election in 2024, the government introduced the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 that received the royal assent in November 2024.[3][4]
In March 2026, the Department for Transport announced that Chiltern Railways' contract would end and DfT Operator is scheduled to take over on 20 September 2026.[5][6][7]
DfT-run Chiltern Railways is expected to reinstate direct services between Marylebone and Stratford-upon-Avon, running twice daily on weekdays from 14 December 2026.[8]
References
- ↑ Elgot, Jessica; Topham, Gwyn (24 April 2024). "Labour promises rail nationalisation within five years of coming to power". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ Austin, Katy; Whannel, Kate (26 April 2024). "Labour pledges to renationalise most rail services within five years]". BBC News. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ Maddox, David (4 September 2024). "Rail nationalisation takes a step closer under Starmer's first major public reform in Commons victory". The Independent. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Government reveals first three operators to be renationalised after law change". Railnews. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ Wilcock, Rich (12 March 2026). "DFTO handover date announced for Chiltern Railways". Rail Magazine. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Dates confirmed for Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railway's return to public ownership". Modern Railways. 8 May 2026. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Dates operators will transfer to DfT". Rail Express. No. 360. May 2010. p. 10.
- ↑ Headley, Shannen (28 July 2026). "Trains between Stratford and London reinstated". BBC News. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
