South Western Railway Enters New Era Under Public Ownership

Historic Transition to Public Control

South Western Railway (SWR) services became the first to transfer back into public control on 25 May 2025, ending almost 30 years of fragmentation and waste under privatisation. This watershed moment marks the beginning of the UK government’s ambitious plan to return all passenger services operating under contracts with the department to public ownership by the end of 2027, eventually integrating them into Great British Railways.

South Western Railway operates commuter services from its Central London terminus at London Waterloo to south west London, suburban services in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and Dorset, as well as regional services in Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire. The operator serves millions of passengers annually across one of Britain’s busiest rail networks.

Major Fleet Modernisation Programme

Alongside the ownership transition, SWR is undergoing a significant transformation with its new Arterio fleet. The 30th Arterio diagram entered service as a major milestone, with the 30 Arterios now operating over 390 daily services, transforming journeys for tens of thousands of customers. Each 10-car Arterio can carry over 50% more customers than the eight-car Class 455 trains they replace, significantly increasing capacity and comfort for customers.

The £1 billion investment into the new fleet also improves customer experience, with features including Wi-Fi, charging points at every seat, real time information, accessible toilets and air conditioning. The operator aims to have three quarters of its planned Arterio schedules introduced by the end of Summer 2026.

Enhanced Accessibility and Infrastructure

SWR is committed to improving accessibility across its network. Network Rail and South Western Railway will begin work in February 2026 to make Wandsworth Town station in south west London fully step free, improving access for passengers with reduced mobility, parents with pushchairs and those travelling with luggage. Over 3.75 million people used the station between April 2024 and March 2025 making Wandsworth Town the 15th busiest station on the South Western Railway network.

The improvements, funded through the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Access for All scheme, will create obstacle-free routes and include the construction of a modern second entrance at Odyssey Way, with new ticket barriers.

Significance for Passengers and the Future

The return to public ownership represents a fundamental shift in how Britain’s railways operate. Starting with SWR, each operator will have to meet rigorous, bespoke performance standards on things like punctuality, cancellation and passenger experience, signalling a renewed focus on service quality. With ongoing fleet modernisation and infrastructure improvements, South Western Railway is positioning itself to deliver enhanced reliability and comfort for the millions who depend on its services daily. These changes are expected to boost economic growth by improving connectivity across southern England whilst providing a blueprint for the future of Britain’s publicly owned railway network.