Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain
Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain is the system of contracting the operation of the passenger services on the railways of Great Britain to private companies, which has been in effect since 1996 and was greatly altered in 2020, with rail franchising being effectively abolished in May 2021.
Gatwick Express, the third railway service to be franchised in 1996
Before privatisation: an InterCity train owned and operated by British Rail
After franchising: a GNER operated train on the InterCity East Coast franchise
Temporary public ownership: East Coast was brought in to run the failed InterCity East Coast franchise in 2009
Privatisation of British Rail
The privatisation of British Rail was the process by which ownership and operation of the railways of Great Britain passed from government control into private hands. Begun in 1994, the process was largely completed by 1997. The deregulation of the industry was in part motivated by the enactment of EU Directive 91/440 in 1991, which aimed to create a more efficient railway network by creating greater competition.
A 1950s Mk1-based Class 411 (4-CEP) "slam-door" EMU at London Victoria station, in Network SouthEast livery (March 2003)
59001 in revised Foster Yeoman livery. Private ownership of locomotives marked the start of a new era in railfreight haulage
