Reimagining the UK Rail Network

As the new Labour government introduces its landmark legislation to nationalize the railways, host Emilio Casalicchio asks: How do we get the trains to run on time?

He travels to Japan, where privatized high speed trains whiz passengers between cities at 300 mph and delays are measured in seconds not minutes.

And he examines the nationalized rail system in Switzerland, home to a joined up transport network with passenger experience at the heart of the business.

Former Transport Secretary George Young tells Emilio about the process of taking British Rail out of public hands and into the private sector — and says he still believes it was the right move for the U.K.'s railways.

Rail boffins Chris Hopkins, Gareth Dennis and Christian Wolmar analyze the Japanese, Swiss and British systems — and weigh up the pros and cons of private verses public.

And the experts also assess Labour Transport Secretary Louise Haigh's prospects for getting the U.K. train network back on track.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices