The Infrastructure Podcast: Episode 28

Guest: Anit Chandarana, Lead Director, GBR Transition Team 

Reforming the railway

In this podcast we talk about the challenge and opportunities of reforming the UK rail network and specifically ask how this vast and complex national asset can be effectively and successfully transitioned back under public sector control and management.

A bit of background: In May 2021 the Williams/Shapps Plan for Rail set out the government's plan for transformation. In short, the plan will see control of the rail network, trains and operations passed from the current fragmented and largely private sector run ownership to a new, public body, known as Great British Railways. 

This will own the infrastructure, receive the fare revenue, run and plan the network and set most fares and timetables. Network Rail, the current infrastructure owner, will be absorbed into this new organisation, as will many functions from the Rail Delivery Group and Department for Transport. 

It has been described as one of the most ambitious changes to our railways in a generation. While no longer in control, the private sector will remain critical to asset management and operations and incentivised to “run safe, high-quality, punctual services, manage costs, attract more passengers and innovate”.

The Great British Railways Transition Team, is now preparing the ground, and working with government to change the culture and approach to rail investment from the centre and, as they put it “getting the whole railway thinking commercially through reform”. The challenge is to embrace this new way of working and bring Great British Railways into being by autumn 2024.

It's a huge task. And to discuss challenges that lie ahead, my guest today is Anit Chandarana, Lead Director at the GBR Transition Team, the man very much in the hot seat when it comes to leading those vital changes.

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