Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill 2024-25: Lords stages and amendments

The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill 2024-25 would  bring franchised passenger rail services into public ownership. The services would be transferred when existing contracts end, or a contractual break point is reached.

For detailed background on the bill, its content as introduced, and initial stakeholder reaction, please see Library briefing Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill 2024-25.

Bill progress

The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill 2024-25 was introduced in the House of Commons on 18 July 2024. The bill had its second reading on 29 July 2024. Committee of the whole House and remaining Commons stages took place on 3 September 2024.

Three amendments were voted on but no amendments were agreed at Committee of the whole House.

The bill had its first reading in the House of Lords on 4 September; second reading on 7 October; committee stage on 21 October; report stage on 6 November; and third reading on 13 November.

The bill is returning to the Commons on 19 November for consideration of Lords amendments.

Lords Amendments

Two opposition and one government amendment were agreed in the Lords.

Government amendment:

• New clause 3 would require public sector companies providing train services under section 30 of the Railways Act 1993 to be subject to the public sector equality duty.

Opposition amendments:

• New clause 1 places a duty on the Secretary of State to have regard to the purpose of the Act, namely the improved performance of passenger railway services in the United Kingdom.
• Amended clause 1 would would require the Secretary of State to terminate franchise agreements for default and to nationalise the worst performing operators first.