Rugby MP John Slinger has welcomed the return of London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway services to public ownership this Sunday, calling it a major step towards building a railway that works for passengers, not shareholders.

The transfer means over half of all rail journeys that Great British Railways will ultimately be responsible for are now operated by publicly owned companies.

These services connect communities across the Midlands and along the West Coast Main Line, supporting jobs, education and local economies.

This comes alongside the Government's decision to freeze rail fares for the first time in 30 years, saving commuters on the most expensive routes more than £300 a year.

placeholder image — Rugby Railoway Station.

John said: "This is very welcome news for residents of Rugby. Labour is fixing a broken rail system by bringing services back into public ownership, rebuilding trust with passengers, and freezing rail fares.

"The railway is a vital connection for Rugby, and many of us rely on it to travel for work, school and leisure. But too often trains are delayed or cancelled. Passengers deserve a reliable, affordable service.

"Public ownership means services run in the interests of passengers, not shareholders. It also means we can take a more strategic approach to fares and schedules, building the transport infrastructure our country needs for the future. That is the difference a Labour government is making—putting people before profit."

Heidi Alexander, the Secretary of State for Transport, said: "From this Sunday, passengers travelling with London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway will be using services that are owned by the public and run with their interests at heart."