Great British Railways - A once in a generation opportunity

Derby endorses the Government’s ambition for ‘once in a generation’ reforms to end the fragmentation of the rail industry and drive benefits and improvements across the network for passengers and freight customers.

And we all, of course, want Great British Railways to be successful in leading this agenda and achieving its key objectives:

  • More punctual trains, competitively priced rail travel and clean and safe carriages and stations
  • A culture truly focused on meeting customers’ needs
  • A more diverse and inclusive workforce to the rail sector, including recruitment from sectors beyond rail
  • Decarbonisation of the network
  • Greater value for money for both fare and taxpayers

Many of these objectives will be best met, of course, through closer working with the private sector.

We believe that, by basing itself in Derby, Great British Railways will give itself the best possible opportunity to do just that.

Timeline for the GBR competition:

  1. We submitted our Expression of Interest for review on 16 March
  2. We were shortlisted on 5 July, with voting opening the same day
  3. Ministerial visit took place on 10 August, and the public vote closed on 15 August
  4. Headquarters’ location announcement before the end of the year
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