West Midlands Trains to Move into Public Ownership in 2026

The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that West Midlands Trains, which runs services under the West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway brands, will be brought into public ownership from Sunday, 1 February 2026.

The move forms part of the DfT’s wider Public Ownership Programme, designed to reform and stabilise rail services across the country.

West Midlands Trains said it was committed to working closely with the government to ensure a seamless handover. The operator stressed that passengers would not see any disruption, with timetables, routes, and stations continuing as normal. The DfT also confirmed that existing tickets and travel conditions would remain unchanged.

Ian McConnell, Managing Director of West Midlands Trains, reflected on the franchise’s record:

“I am extremely proud of what we have achieved, with £1 billion invested in two new train fleets and major improvements in performance that have transformed journeys for millions of passengers. As we transition into public ownership, our priority will remain delivering excellent service for our customers.”

Since its launch in 2017, the franchise has added more than 100 new trains to its network, which spans from Liverpool to London via the West Midlands.

The company also played a key role during the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, successfully managing rail services for millions of journeys throughout the international event.