The first service to run on the Labour government's first nationalised train operator will be a rail replacement bus.
South Western Railway - which operates services across Hampshire and runs Southampton Central station - will transfer into public ownership on Sunday.
It is the first of the 14 national rail operators to fall under the jurisdiction of Great British Railways (GBR) as operators, Network Rail and DfTO will be consolidated into one public organisation.
SWR will transfer into public ownership at 01.59am on Sunday and the first scheduled service should be the 02.27am from Guildford to Waterloo.
READ MORE: Government confirms huge shake-up to train services in Hampshire this weekend
This journey has been cancelled though.
The next trip is the 5.36am from Woking, but bank holiday weekend repair works mean that this will be serviced by a rail replacement bus.
Heidi Alexander, secretary of state for transport, said: "Under this government’s plan to unify track and train under one organisation, GBR will be the single ‘directing mind’ for the railway, putting passengers and customers first, rebuilding trust in the railway and simplifying the industry."
National train operators were previously only run by a state-owned "operator of last resort", which only takes control when a private company fails.
She argued that public ownership will ensure services are run in the "interests of passengers" and "not shareholders".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated: 1st January 1970 12:00 am
Report this comment Cancel