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
Grand Central is an open-access train operating company in the United Kingdom. A subsidiary of Arriva UK Trains, it has operated passenger rail services since December 2007.
Class 180 Adelante and Class 221 Super Voyager at Bradford Interchange in October 2023
43080 at London King's Cross on 18 December 2007, the first day of Grand Central services
Mark 3 standard class interior
43067 at King's Cross in the original livery in February 2009