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West Midlands Trains: Nationalisation

Asked by Wendy MortonConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 15 June 2026UIN 5938

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether formal risk assessments undertaken ahead of the transfer of West Midlands Trains into public ownership identified risks relating to service frequency, fleet availability, or passenger performance; how frequently such risks are reviewed under the Public Ownership Programme; and whether Ministers have received advice regarding the potential impact of future rolling stock reallocations on passenger fares and overcrowding in the West Midlands.

Answered by Keir Mather

A formal risk review process was undertaken on a four-weekly basis ahead of the transfer of West Midlands Trains into public ownership, but these reviews related to the safe, secure and legal delivery of the transfer, rather than risks relating to service frequency, fleet availability, or passenger performance, because the intention of each transfer to public ownership is that there is no immediate change to the day to day operation.

No advice has been received by Ministers regarding the potential impact of future rolling stock reallocations on passenger fares and overcrowding in the West Midlands, as there are no plans to change such allocations.

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