The King’s Speech today points to a ‘strong signal of intent’ from the new Labour government, the Urban Transport Group has said.

The speech sets out the Government’s agenda for the new Parliamentary session and included:

• Bill to allow local leaders to take control of local bus services
• Legislation to improve railways by reforming franchising, establishing Great British Railways and bringing train operators into public ownership
• an English Devolution Bill to give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities

“The King’s Speech sends a strong signal of intent that this Government is serious about transforming our transport sector.

“Our rail services need reform, so it is encouraging that the Government is moving ahead with the creation of Great British Railways. And on buses, local leaders will be given greater powers to franchise or publicly own bus services – powers we have long called for.

“Together with the recognition that greater devolution can herald positive change for local communities, these new Bills could lead to big improvements in transport.

“As city regions that deliver transport services for millions of people day in, day out, we stand ready to work with the new Government to help realise their ambitions.”

Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group

‘Train companies have been calling for radical reform of the railway for several years, including the creation of Great British Railways, so the commitment to reform in today’s King’s Speech is an important milestone. However, getting the detail right below the headline is critical to achieving the government’s ambitions for green growth and reducing the railway’s financial burden on the taxpayer.

‘We want the same outcomes as the new Labour Government – a better railway for those that use it and pay for it. But to change the railway for the better, we must correctly understand the causes of the current challenges to get the right solutions – and full nationalisation is a political not a practical solution, which will increase costs over time.

‘We welcome the recognition that private sector freight and open access operators have a lot to offer, but passenger train companies also have a track record of growing the railway. They want to partner with the government to achieve this success again, within the new framework. ‘This would give public ownership of a joined-up railway but also use train companies as delivery agents to drive better commercial outcomes – which would produce results faster and at a lower cost. This approach is already being successfully used by Labour Mayors in London and Manchester, and increasingly across Europe.’

Rail Partners chief executive, Andy Bagnall

“We welcome today’s announcements specifically around removing restrictions on trade unions, the New Deal for workers and the rolling out of public ownership of our railways.

“These achievements are down to pressure from the trade union movement, and we will continue to articulate what is in the best interests of railway workers and working people as a whole. We will also continue to actively engage with the government on the pay issues in our sectors which can be resolved quickly.

“Labour has also committed to upgrading rail connectivity in the North. Our belief is that HS2 remains the best option for improving transport links, promoting economic growth and building a modern railway infrastructure, fit for the 21st century.”

General Secretary Mick Lynch