Campaign to keep South Western Railway public
South Western Railway was re-nationalised on 25 May 2025, becoming the first rail franchise to be brought into public ownership by the Labour government, following the passing of the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act in November 2024.
See which franchises will be next with our handy new Privatisation Departures Board.
Privatisation Departures Board
Prior to re-nationalisation, South Western Railway had been operated by a joint venture between FirstGroup, a British private-sector transport company, and MTR Corporation, which runs Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway. The franchise includes most train services running to and from London Waterloo as well as services on the Isle of Wight. The franchise is intended to last for seven years. FirstGroup also operates the Great Western Railway franchising alone, as well as the Avanti West Coast franchise in partnership with Trenitalia, while MTR Corporation is the sole operator of the TfL Rail contract.
• Do you use the South Western Railway service regularly?
• Do you want it to remain in public hands and become part of a re-unified national rail network run for people not profit?
• Then, please get involved in campaigns below.
Bring Back British Rail will support you by promoting your campaign’s details on this website and putting you in touch with other local activists via our Facebook, Twitter and Riseup communities. Please get in touch on the email address below!
Existing Campaigns / Groups:
• South Western Railway Passenger Action
• Cancel South Western Railway’s contract & investigate their mismanagement
• I hate South Western Railways
