UNIONS and campaigners criticised the government’s long-awaited rail reforms as “deeply disappointing” yesterday, saying they amount to little more than rearranging the deckchairs of privatisation.
Control of trains and tracks will be vested in a new public-sector body called Great British Railways (GBR), the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.
The organisation will own and manage rail infrastructure, issue contracts to private firms to run trains, set most fares and timetables, and sell tickets.
The HS2 debacle exposes what happens when public infrastructure is handed to private contractors – especially when set against China’s state-led high-speed rail success, says CARLOS MARTINEZ
A just transition to Great British Railways and a clean and safe railway for all is not only desirable but also necessary. MARYAM ESLAMDOUST explains


