Public Opinion on Rail Reform
As the UK Government moves forward with its plans to establish Great British Railways, new research from Virgin Group highlights strong consumer support for competition on the railways. The findings suggest that British passengers favour a system where both nationalised and private operators coexist, offering more choices and improving service quality.
Virgin Group, which has applied to run trains as an ‘Open Access’ operator, commissioned a survey of 2,000 rail passengers. The results show that 70% of respondents believe travellers should have a choice of train operators, and 67% agree that having multiple providers on key routes would be beneficial.
While 36% of passengers support full nationalisation, a larger proportion 51% prefer a mixed system of Open Access and nationalised services. Among younger passengers under 35, this figure rises to 57%, and for those who have used the West Coast Main Line in the past year, it reaches 58%.
Benefits of Competition on the Railways
The survey findings reinforce the idea that competition can drive improvements in the rail industry. Over 60% of respondents believe that increased competition could lead to:
- Lower ticket prices
- More frequent train services
- Improved reliability
- Enhanced customer experience
The research comes amid ongoing policy discussions in Westminster. The Department for Transport has acknowledged the potential benefits of Open Access services, such as improved connectivity and passenger choice, while also considering their financial and operational impacts. Additionally, the House of Commons recently debated the future of Open Access services, and the All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group held discussions on maintaining an independent regulatory body to oversee rail access.
Virgin Group’s Open Access Proposal
Virgin Group has proposed introducing 40 new daily services on the West Coast Main Line. This expansion would add 13,680 extra seats on routes serving Birmingham, Liverpool, Preston, and Rochdale, operating alongside existing services.
Open Access train operators, which already function in the UK, differ from franchised rail companies. They take on full commercial risk without receiving government subsidies, while still paying track access fees and infrastructure charges. Evidence from the East Coast Main Line, where Open Access operators have been active for over two decades, indicates that competition has contributed to increased train usage post-pandemic, more frequent services, and competitive fares.
Phil Whittingham, Rail Project Lead at Virgin Group, commented: “Virgin’s research highlights that passengers appreciate having choices in rail travel. They see strong benefits in fostering competition among operators.”
He further added: “As we mark 200 years of the modern railway, this is a crucial moment to rethink how train services operate across Britain. Open Access can work alongside nationalised services to drive investment, improve efficiency, and encourage more people to choose rail travel. Instead of simply redistributing existing revenue, Open Access services generate new income and help restore profitability to key routes.”
Virgin Group has carefully developed its Open Access application, ensuring its proposed services will offer value to both passengers and taxpayers.
Next Steps for Open Access Services
The Office of Rail and Road is expected to announce its decision on May 2024’s Open Access applications later this month. If approved, Virgin Group’s expanded services could significantly enhance competition and passenger experience on the UK’s rail network.
