SWR Nationalised as Labour Rail Plan Begins

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South Western Railway became the first train company nationalised under Labour on May 25, 2025, marking a major shift in British transport policy.

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The iconic first nationalised journey? A replacement bus service! Engineering works forced passengers off the 5:36 am Woking train at Surbiton.

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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander dampened hopes for cheaper tickets: "I can't promise lower fares, but I can promise great value for money.

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What happens next? c2c follows in July, then Greater Anglia in October—part of Labour's plan to bring all UK rail services under public control by 2027.

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The government claims nationalisation will save £150 million yearly by cutting private payments and dividends. But where will that money go?

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Despite being state-run since 2020, Northern Rail still suffers "more than 10%" cancellation rates. Will nationalisation actually fix Britain's trains?

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Unions welcome the move but worry about outsourced workers. RMT's Eddie Dempsey: "The job is incomplete when our contracted-out members remain outsourced.

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Meanwhile, the Tories throw down the gauntlet: "Labour must deliver on promises of lower prices, end disruption and strikes, or taxpayers foot the bill.

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Passengers won't see immediate changes—but the striking new trains feature a union jack and "Great British Railways: coming soon" on royal blue carriages.

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Public opinion backs Labour's move: 66% support nationalised railways, but the real test will be whether services actually improve in the coming years.

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