The lobbying group Rail Partners has made a new bid to get the private sector more involved in operating passenger railways. Although the Government appears to be sympathetic, the Labour Party has said it would move towards a ‘publicly-owned railway’ in England if it gains power at the next General Election. Rail Partners is now calling for more open access operators to be permitted, such as Grand Central, Hull Trains and Lumo. The Office of Rail and Road has already approved an application by Grand Union Trains to operate five trains a day between London, Cardiff and Carmarthen.
