On 31 May 2026, the Department for Transport announced that the services of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)—including Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern and Gatwick Express—will be transferred to public ownership under the Great British Railways framework. The change aims to improve reliability, with plans to double Gatwick Express services, recruit 75 new drivers, refresh toilets, upgrade signalling between Farringdon and Blackfriars, and add a customer‑support WhatsApp channel. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the move will bring more accountable journeys and address key passenger concerns. GTR already handles about one‑sixth of UK passenger rail trips, contributing £3.2 billion to the economy and 40,000 jobs. The public‑ownership programme is expected to finish by the end of 2027, with further operators joining later this year.
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