The Labour Government has taken control of another train company, moving c2c under public ownership to strengthen Britain’s rail network and improve efficiency across key routes. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The transition completed on Sunday makes c2c the second operator nationalised under Labour’s plan to unify the rail system. Services between London Fenchurch Street and South Essex now operate under the Department for Transport’s Operator of Last Resort. Officials confirmed all existing tickets remain valid and fares will not change because of the shift.

Labour Brings Second Train Company Under Public Control
Bringing train operators into public ownership is ‘tackling deep-rooted problems’ with the railways, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted the benefits of the move, saying passengers traveling to Lakeside or Southend-on-Sea can now rely on a service “run by the public, for the public.” She stressed that nationalisation will tackle rising costs and fragmentation while creating a unified brand through the upcoming Great British Railways body.

Why the Train Company Move Matters?

Despite this change, c2c remains one of the top performers in the industry. The operator achieved an 89% passenger satisfaction score in the latest Transport Focus survey, ranking sixth among 22 companies. The government aims to build on that success by simplifying operations and improving accountability.

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Ernesto Sicilia, Managing Director of Trenitalia UK, acknowledged the shift and reaffirmed the company’s role in supporting innovation. He confirmed Trenitalia will continue operating Avanti West Coast until its transfer to public ownership in 2026. According to Sicilia, creating a resilient and integrated rail network requires time and collaboration, and Trenitalia intends to assist during the transition.

More Train Company Transfers Ahead

South Western Railway was the first nationalised operator under Labour in May. It joined Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, and LNER, which moved to state control during the Conservative government because of performance failures. Looking ahead, Greater Anglia will become the next to return to public hands on October 12.

Labour’s strategy marks a decisive shift toward an integrated, efficient, and passenger-focused rail system. By consolidating operations under Great British Railways, the government hopes to deliver consistent services, reduce costs, and restore public trust in the country’s transportation infrastructure.

Source: www.independent.co.uk

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