Journey4 is delighted to be providing ongoing professional support to the Government’s Public Ownership Programme, as part of its policy to transfer Train Operating Companies (TOCs) from private operation into public control within the Department for Transport Operator (DFTO).
In line with the Department’s transfer programme, the first three operators – South Western Railway (May 2025), C2C (July 2025), and Greater Anglia (October 2025) – have now been transferred, and work continues on the next phases of the programme, with West Midlands Trains expected to be transferred on 1 February 2026.
Journey4, as part of an SME-led consortium, was awarded an up to five-year contract with the Department for Transport (DfT) for advisory services to its Operator of Last Resort (OLR) function in January 2024. Specifically, we were awarded contracts for two work packages, Operations & Human Resources and Commercial, Contracts & Insurance.
“We are proud that the quality of our approach and resources was recognised on the original award of this contract and that the Department puts their trust in our partnership to help them discharge their responsibilities – now that this programme is in full flight we are pleased to be playing a key role in supporting the professional transfer of operators in line with the Department’s requirements.” – Graham Shorter, Journey4 Project Director
