Transport UK celebrates successful management of Greater Anglia ahead of transition to public ownership
10 October 2025 - London, UK
Greater Anglia will transfer to government ownership at 2:00 AM Sunday, 12 October, as part of the Government’s renationalisation of England’s railways. The move marks the conclusion of a highly successful chapter under Transport UK’s stewardship — one defined by a complete transformation of the railway to become the UK’s highest performer.
Transport UK, in partnership with Mitsui & Co., bid for the network with a bold £1.4 billion plan to replace the entire existing fleet with 191 new, energy-efficient, air-conditioned trains. This transformation has increased seating capacity, improved comfort and accessibility, and enabled new services such as Norwich–Stansted Airport.
Punctuality and reliability reached historic highs, with Greater Anglia becoming the most punctual operator in the UK for more than two and a half years. In 2024, it was also the only privately run operator to generate income for the Treasury. Under Transport UK leadership, it has become a multi-award-winning railway, securing Passenger Operator of the Year at the National Rail Awards three times in four years. This year, Greater Anglia also swept the board, receiving top awards at the National Transport Awards, Rail Business Awards and Spotlight Rail Awards.
Behind this success was Transport UK’s experienced leadership and operational teams. Their consistent focus on performance and innovation has driven measurable improvements across every aspect of service delivery:
Punctuality improved from 16th nationally in 2012 to 1st in 2024, now exceeding 94%.
Norwich–London journey times cut by an average of 6–7 minutes, even amid more frequent extreme weather.
Level boarding was introduced on most routes with new Stadler-built trains, improving accessibility for wheelchair users, parents, cyclists and travellers with heavy luggage.
Station facilities and integrated transport links were enhanced across the network, with biodiversity supported through the Wildlife Friendly Stations Accreditation Scheme.
Dominic Booth, CEO of Transport UK Group, said:
“I’m incredibly proud of our stewardship of Greater Anglia. As we continue working with the government to ensure a smooth transition, I can confidently say that our stewardship of the network has been a resounding success. We have set a new benchmark for standards across the industry, invested in a completely new fleet of trains, and delivered for communities across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
These achievements are a testament to Transport UK’s planning and delivery and would not have been possible without the commitment of our employees, partners, and stakeholders, whose dedication and hard work have been central to these achievements.”
As Greater Anglia transitions to public ownership, Transport UK looks ahead, applying its proven delivery model to new markets and sectors. The group continues to operate West Midlands Trains, East Midlands Railway, Merseyrail, and 11% of the London bus network. It also provides services in transport management consulting (TransportWorks), rail replacement, HR/finance support (Solvd.), and business travel planning.