PoliticsJOE Podcast Going deep on the new nationalised trains
Dec 9, 2025
John Elledge, an author and self-described train nerd, delves into Labour's nationalisation of rail through the Great British Railways reforms. He discusses the new Union Jack livery and the unified ticketing system. Elledge explains the limitations of nationalisation, the complexities of rail costs, and why managing demand through pricing is crucial to avoid overcrowding. The duo also highlights HS2's real goal of enhancing train capacity and tackles the importance of integrating train services for a better passenger experience.
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Centralising Passenger Experience Doesn’t Solve Capacity
- Great British Railways centralises fragmented services into one public-facing brand and ticketing system.
- John Elledge warns this improves consumer clarity but won’t by itself fix capacity or infrastructure constraints.
Demand Rose Despite Privatization
- Passenger growth since privatization shows demand rose, so ownership alone isn't the root problem.
- John Elledge stresses the main constraint is physical capacity, not whether operators are private or public.
Nationalisation Shifts Costs To Treasury
- Nationalisation shifts costs to the Treasury but won’t automatically fund track, signalling, or new trains.
- Elledge worries the Treasury may treat rail purely as a cost, limiting necessary investment.
