Lords asks government to think again on passenger rail bill

The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill will nationalise passenger railway franchises through public sector companies when existing contracts with private sector operators come to an end.

Detailed scrutiny

Report stage is an extra chance for members to closely scrutinise elements of the bill and make changes.

Proposed changes

Members speaking at report stage put forward amendments to the bill on subjects including: 

• accessibility standards of rail services and booking platforms
• services operated by devolved authorities.

Votes

There were four divisions (votes) on proposed changes to the bill.

Members agreed to two changes on the purpose of the bill in relation to improving rail services and on ensuring the government terminates contracts and nationalises the worst performing rail providers first, ahead of all others.

Two further proposed changes on the awarding of rail contracts to private sector providers in certain circumstances and increasing rail freight in the UK by 75% before 2050, were voted on but disagreed to by Lords members.

Catch up

• Watch the Parliament TV recording.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore further information

Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Next steps

Third reading, a final chance to amend the bill, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 13 November.

What's happened so far?

Committee stage

Committee stage, a chance to thoroughly examine individual parts (clauses) of the bill, took place on Tuesday 29 October.

Second reading

Second reading, a full debate on the key principles of the bill, took place on Monday 7 October.

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