TransPennine Express Shows the Transformative Power of Public Ownership
New figures, released by TransPennine Express (TPE), a publicly-owned train operator, reveal how the rail operator has delivered a dramatic turnaround under public ownership.
Since transferring into public ownership in May 2023, TPE has reduced cancellations by 75%, increased customer journeys by 42%, and grown revenue by 54%.
In the last financial year alone, the operator generated £1.4 billion in economic value, delivering more than £8 in return for every £1 of public subsidy.
These results mark a clear departure from the service's previous struggles and show the Government's commitment to putting passengers back at the heart of its plans for public ownership and ensuring services are reliable.
When the franchise was removed from its private operator, only 5% of stakeholders were satisfied with TPE’s performance. A severe shortage of trained drivers, chronic service disruption, and a breakdown in trust had left the network under strain.
Today, as TPE operates under public ownership, stakeholder satisfaction has soared to 94%, more than 20,000 days of driver training have been delivered, and 63 new drivers have been recruited to strengthen operational resilience.
The introduction of enhanced First Class catering, major accessibility improvements and new services have all contributed to a significantly improved customer experience.
Chris Jackson, Managing Director of TPE, said: “Public ownership gave us the space and stability to reset. Our focus has been on people, our passengers, our colleagues, and the communities we serve. Two years on, we’re proud to be delivering a better, more reliable railway for the North."
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: "TransPennine Express's remarkable turnaround shows exactly why we're bringing our railways back into public ownership as part of our Plan for Change. These impressive results demonstrate what happens when we put passengers and communities first rather than private profit.
“This is the blueprint for Great British Railways: a reliable, accessible, and value-for-money railway that serves the public and drives economic growth not only across the North but the whole country."
The turnaround followed the launched of TPE’s improvement plan, Making Journeys Better, launched in October 2023, which prioritised stabilising operations, re-engaging staff and passengers, and transforming the network for long-term success.
The operator also introduced a new company vision and values shaped by colleagues, relaunched its engagement survey, and held its first ever Week of Inclusion.
Symbols of cultural change are visible across the network, from the launch of the Unity Pride train to improved staff facilities and accessibility investment. Usage of Passenger Assist services has risen 62%, while innovations like AI speech-to-text announcements are improving journeys for hearing-impaired customers.
TPE’s success is a clear example of how public control can not only restore performance but also drive growth, inclusivity, and long-term value. With much of the North’s railway network now under public ownership, TPE offers a blueprint for what the future of rail can look like when people come first.