This was a lords amendment on the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024. The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 moves UK rail away from private franchising and towards public-sector provision of passenger services, with a transitional period and a set of new duties, reporting requirements and bodies to improve performance and accountability. It also sets out how and when public ownership should be implemented, and how it should interact with devolved administrations and regional bodies.
•Ends new or extended private rail franchises and allows direct awards to public-sector operators during a transition
•Creates new oversight and equality rules, including a Passenger Standards Authority, accessibility duties and annual liability reports
•Gives powers to terminate underperforming contracts and to prioritise reform or nationalisation of poorly performing operators
•Requires engagement with devolved authorities and regional bodies (including TfL) and incorporates Legislative Consent Motions from Scotland and Wales
