Greater Anglia, one of the UK’s most prominent train operators, officially transferred to public ownership on Sunday, October 12, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to renationalise the country’s railways. The move, part of the government’s wider Plan for Change, means that half of all rail operators in England are now under public control—a dramatic shift from the privatisation era of the 1990s.
The company, which runs trains connecting Cambridge, Ipswich, Norwich, and Colchester to London, as well as serving Stansted Airport, Peterborough, Hertford, and a host of smaller lines, will now be managed by DfT Operator Limited (DFTO) on behalf of the government. This transition, according to the Department for Transport (DfT), aims to lay the groundwork for a “more unified” and “accountable” railway network under the banner of Great British Railways.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander heralded the transition as a decisive step forward. “Passengers commuting into Norwich or heading for a day out in Cambridge will be travelling on services that are owned by the public, and run with their interests front of mind,” Alexander said, as reported by BBC. She continued, “We’re reforming a fragmented system and laying the foundations for a more reliable, efficient and accountable railway—one that puts passengers first and delivers the high standards they rightly expect.”
For Greater Anglia, the timing couldn’t be more auspicious. Last week, the operator was named Rail Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards, a recognition of its performance during the 2024-25 fiscal year, when it handled a remarkable 81.8 million passenger journeys. Managing director Martin Beable expressed both pride and optimism about the future. “At Greater Anglia, we’re proud to be one of the highest performing UK train operators in the country, recently recognised with the Passenger Operator of the Year award for the second year running,” Beable stated. “We’ve introduced new trains on every service, enhanced accessibility across our network, and welcomed more local passengers than ever before—achievements made possible by the dedication of our people.”
Beable described the move to public ownership as an “exciting opportunity” to build on these successes. “By working more closely with the wider family of publicly owned operators, we can share expertise, drive innovation, and deliver even better journeys for our passengers across the Anglia region,” he said. “This transition also brings us one step closer to Great British Railways—a simpler, more unified network that puts passengers at its heart. Together, we can create a railway that drives growth, sustainability, and pride for the communities we serve and right across the UK.”
Greater Anglia’s transition is not an isolated event. The operator joins a growing list of publicly run firms, including c2c, Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, LNER, and South Western Railway. According to the DfT, West Midlands Trains is set to return to state control on February 1, 2026, followed by Govia Thameslink Railway on May 31, 2026. Further transitions are expected, with Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railways likely to follow suit.
The government’s Plan for Change is not just about ownership—it’s about transformation. Two new stations are set to open soon: Beaulieu Park in north Chelmsford this month, and Cambridge South early next year. There’s also a new fleet of bi-mode trains, designed to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, aligning with broader climate goals. The government has become increasingly conscious of the need for an effective rail network, especially as it seeks to encourage travelers to choose trains over more carbon-intensive options like cars and planes.
Trevor Garrod, chair of the East Suffolk Travellers Association (ESTA), voiced support for the renationalisation, telling the BBC, “We are not worried about the nationalisation, but quite clearly bodies like our own will continue to exist and hold to account the operators and politicians.” Garrod expressed confidence that the mistakes which led to underinvestment during the privatisation era would not be repeated, largely because the government is now more attuned to the importance of robust rail infrastructure in the face of climate change.
Still, Garrod highlighted lingering challenges for passengers in East Suffolk. Chief among them is the lack of “through trains” from east Suffolk to London—a service promised nine years ago but still undelivered. He also called for progress on the East West Rail project, which aims to provide a new line between Oxford and Cambridge, unlocking benefits for those traveling west from East Anglia.
Despite the optimism, the realities of running a major rail network are never far from view. Just a day before the public ownership transfer, commuters faced significant disruption after thieves stole cable at Shenfield in Essex, causing a signalling error that halted Intercity trains between Ipswich and London Liverpool Street. It was a stark reminder that while ownership structures may change, operational challenges remain a constant for Britain’s railways.
For passengers, the hope is that public ownership will translate into tangible improvements—better reliability, more accountability, and a stronger focus on their needs. The government’s vision is to create a railway that not only gets people from point A to point B, but also supports regional growth, sustainability, and national pride. As Alexander put it, “We’re reforming a fragmented system and laying the foundations for a more reliable, efficient and accountable railway.”
Greater Anglia’s managing director, Martin Beable, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that public ownership can foster. “By working more closely with the wider family of publicly owned operators, we can share expertise, drive innovation, and deliver even better journeys for our passengers across the Anglia region,” he said. “This transition also brings us one step closer to Great British Railways—a simpler, more unified network that puts passengers at its heart.”
As the government continues to bring more operators under public control, questions remain about how quickly promised improvements will materialize and whether the network can avoid the pitfalls of the past. Advocates like Garrod remain vigilant, determined to ensure that accountability and passenger needs stay front and center.
For now, the transfer of Greater Anglia to public ownership stands as both a symbol of change and a test of the government’s commitment to delivering on its promises. The coming months—and years—will reveal whether this new era for the railways will truly deliver the reliability, efficiency, and unity that so many passengers have long awaited.
