Great Western Railway (GWR) is going to be brought back into public ownership, the government has announced.
The news, which is expected to be included in a speech by transport secretary Heidi Alexander on Tuesday, has been welcomed by the West of England mayor.
By the middle of next year, around eight in 10 trains in the Ƶ will be under public ownership, the Department for Transport said. The government has already taken control of West Midlands Trains and Govia Thameslink Railway services.
GWR’s franchised services are expected to follow, with the exact date to be confirmed once a final decision has been taken and expiry notices have been issued.
Helen Godwin, the region's metro mayor, said GWR returning to public ownership would make "a huge difference" to passengers in the West Country.
“Across the country, more of the railways are being returned to the service of passengers." she said. "Here in the West, people will – like me – welcome the news from Heidi that trains are going to be run by the public, for the public."
She added: “Three-quarters of a billion pounds from government will help get our region moving and on track to catch up with other city-regions, with more trains as well as better buses, and an ambition for four trains an hour at stations across our growing suburban rail network."
The announcement follows the unveiling of a 10-year growth strategy for the Bristol and Bath region last week that includes plans for improving transport.
The transport secretary said taking GWR into public ownership would be "a pivotal moment" in the government's work to return the railways to the service of passengers.
"My dad was an electrical apprentice on our railway in Swindon, making sure things worked properly," she said. "It seems fitting that I will continue that work alongside Helen, as we rebuild a transport system fit for the future.
"It will take time, but we will sweep away decades of frustration, waste and pointless bureaucracy, and deliver a Great British Railway people can be proud of and rely on.”
The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 became law in November, after being the first major Bill passed following the general election, enabling ministers to take back control as operators’ contracts expire.
New laws to establish Great British Railways, a new body that will take over day-to-day responsibility for operating the railways, will be introduced by the end of this year.
Five new stations are set to be built over the coming years in the West Country - in Charfield, Henbury, North Filton, Pill, and Portishead. These add to the two new stations opened in recent years, including Ashley Down which has just marked its first birthday.
The stations form part of the region’s ambitious wider £400m rail investment plan which includes building new stations and adding extra services.
