Morning, Monday, 13th April 2026
Online
This conference will consider next steps for Britain’s railways.
It will bring key stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss the Railways Bill as it progresses through Parliament, examining proposed reform across governance and regulation, and implications for stakeholders in areas such as service, access, infrastructure, and coordination.
The agenda includes a focus on key issues for transitioning to a unified approach under Great British Railways, with discussion on approaches to whole-system planning, oversight measures and sustainable funding models, as well as the way forward for rail infrastructure delivery, and implications of the new Access and Use Policy.
Passenger services, private sector access, regulation & oversight
The way forward for improving passenger services will be considered in the context of the ongoing programme of transition to public ownership, assessing progress so far and what can be learned for maintaining performance, reliability and value of service. Delegates will discuss the role and duties of the new passenger watchdog, as well as mechanisms for consultation, transparency and redress.
The agenda looks at proposed reform to regulation and oversight, including questions over Great British Railways’ remit, and the future powers and role in oversight of the Office of Rail and Road. Attendees will consider implications for independent regulation, alongside options for strengthening appeals and enforcement powers, and priorities for maintaining trust. Accountability frameworks will be considered, and the sharing of responsibilities across GBR, devolved authorities and operators.
GBR’s approach to its duties related to public service alongside those affecting freight, the private sector and open access needs will be examined. We expect discussion on priorities for implementing the new Access and Use Policy, including mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement of open access and freight targets, the alignment of capacity allocation and growth targets with funding cycles, and ways to address disparities arising from access and track usage charges.
Policy coordination, regional priorities & addressing delivery challenges
Sessions in the agenda will assess priorities for planning and effective support for delivery of accessibility, decarbonisation and integrated transport across modes and regions. Areas for discussion include expectations for the forthcoming Long-Term Rail Strategy, its coordination with the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy’s wider housing and growth targets, and alignment with the forthcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy.
Delegates will examine how the impact potential of risks to delivery across major projects can be addressed - such as the Transpennine Route Upgrade, East West Rail, Midlands Rail Hub, and Northern Powerhouse Rail - in the context of inflation, supply chain pressures and constrained capital budgets. Areas for discussion include the prioritisation of maintenance, renewals, enhancements, and digital upgrades within CP7, and reconciliation of national priorities with government-backed devolution plans and regional ambitions for greater control over services, fares and investment.
Fares, revenue sustainability & retail reform
Ahead of the rail fare freeze being implemented from March 2026, sessions will address concerns around the sustainability of long-term finance models and implications for revenue and investment, looking at alternative strategies to support fare revenue, manage funding pressures, and protect passengers from potential increases in unregulated fares.
Delegates will also consider next steps for broader fare and ticketing reform as responsibilities transfer to GBR, including ways to reduce complexity in the fares system and support accessibility, alongside approaches to improving confidence in how funding is planned and delivery timetables are set. Implications of retail reforms under the new GBR framework for private retailers, competition, and innovation will be assessed, looking at how the transition to a unified national retail framework can be implemented without disrupting passengers or stifling market diversity.
Operations & workforce needs
Further sessions examine ways to address skills and workforce shortages across rail infrastructure and operations in the context of constrained investment and changes in planned spending across CP7, assessing ways to improve supplier certainty and encourage investment in skills, capacity, technology, and innovation.
Attendees will consider latest thinking on approaches to recruitment, retention, and training, including priorities for workforce transitions under GBR, reskilling to support digitalisation and sustainability objectives, how to align project and funding planning with workforce requirements, and how the sector can address diversity gaps and build long-term capacity.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
