Transport Committee launches inquiry into bill

The House of Commons Transport Committee has issued an urgent Call for Evidence ahead of an inquiry into the new Railways Bill. Its MPs plan to scrutinise three themes: passenger standards and experience; access to the railway; and the role of devolution in  the Great British Railways era.

The Bill is due to undergo “line by line” scrutiny by a separate Public Bill Committee, the Transport Committee points out. In view of the “significant public interest and the centrality of this legislation to the Government’s rail policy”, the Transport Committee plans to help ensure that the Bill contains the “necessary means to deliver on that policy”.

“The timing of the Bill’s passage through Parliament is controlled by the Government,” says the Committee. “We want to put our evidence and recommendations on the record as early as possible to ensure that they can influence Parliament’s  scrutiny.”

For this reason, the Transport Committee has set a shorter written evidence deadline than usual - 26 November 2025. The Committee stressed that the earlier it receives evidence, the more use it can make of it.

“We are aware that stakeholders may wish to submit separate written evidence to any Public Bill Committee set up to scrutinise the Bill, as well as or instead of submitting to the Transport Committee.”

The Committee said it would welcome “short, focused submissions” that address any of the following themes:

?  Improving rail travel for passengers: Including the likely effectiveness of the Passengers’ Council (currently operating as Transport Focus) as developed by the Bill; how the Bill balances accountability for improving standards with operational autonomy, provision for fares and ticketing reform; and whether sufficient provision is made for improving accessibility.

?  Network access: Including the likely effectiveness of new arrangements for granting access to the network in protecting the interests of passengers and other users; and provision for open access and freight operations.

?  Devolution: Including the effects of the Bill in Scotland and Wales; the effectiveness of the proposed new statutory role for Mayors in England; and whether the right balance is struck  between local decision-making and national direction.

The Transport Committee said that submissions should focus on one of these three areas to avoid duplicating evidence sent to the Public Bill Committee.

Railways Bill - Call for Evidence