If Labour forms the next government, shadow transport minister Louise Haigh promised to bring about the biggest shake-up to rail “in a generation” by regaining public control of the routes and forming the long-delayed Great British Railways (GBR) organisation.
Ms. Haigh also promised in a speech to create a “best-price ticket guarantee” for travelers, provide “delay repay” programs that operate automatically, and make digital season tickets accessible on the network.
However, the Conservatives have criticized the plans, arguing that Labour lacks a strategy to finance them.
Deputy political editor of News Sam Coates questioned Ms. Haigh about how she planned to escape the “trap” of British Railways, the national railway company that was privatized in the 1990s and compelled to compete for funding from the federal government.