The Department for Transport<\/a> (DfT) said the move would bring more reliable services, with plans to end what it termed the \u201cdaily frustration\u201d of overcrowding.<\/p>\n It has promised a package of improvements for Chiltern passengers, including more services and seats, new trains, upgraded stations and better onboard facilities including upgraded wifi.<\/p>\n The government legislated in 2024 to renationalise private train operations as contracts allowed, joining the four operators already in public ownership and Network Rail to eventually establish an integrated body, Great British Railways<\/a> (GBR).<\/p>\n The rail minister, Peter Hendy, said: \u201cEvery transfer into public ownership gives us the chance to tackle the bread-and-butter issues people care about \u2013 more frequent, comfortable trains that turn up on time.<\/p>\n Rail renationalisation map of Great Britain<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAs we set up Great British Railways, we\u2019re putting passengers first. It will not happen overnight, but we will build a railway the country can trust and rely on and that will create growth, jobs and homes.\u201d<\/p>\n Another 25 daily services will be introduced on the Chiltern network from December, with 10,000 extra seats each weekday, as more new trains are rolled out.<\/p>\n Lord Hendy visits London Marylebone to mark the transfer of Chiltern Railways into public ownership. Photograph: Department for Transport<\/p>\n Tony Baxter, the interim managing director of Chiltern Railways, said customers would see \u201cimprovements made possible thanks to years of planning, dedication and hard work by Chiltern colleagues. Public ownership will further strengthen that progress through closer collaboration across the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a>Free newsletter |Every weekday<\/p>\n Sign up to Business Today<\/p>\n Get set for the working day \u2013 we’ll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n The DfT said the move \u201calso provides a fresh opportunity to deliver East West Rail\u201d, the long-awaited services that should have started under Chiltern last year<\/a> on a completed stretch of the future Oxford-Cambridge line.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789917013_385_500.jpg\")
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