A TRAIN operator renationalised two years ago has performed a “remarkable turnaround,” the rail minister said today.

Lord Hendy described TransPennine Express (TPE) as “the blueprint for Great British Railways (GBR).”

TPE was brought back into public ownership in May 2023 under the Tories due to poor performance.

Since then, cancellations have fallen by 75 per cent and passenger journeys have increased by 42 per cent.

Now operated by the Department for Transport Operator (DFTO), the service generated £1.4 billion during 2023-24.

Britain’s train services were privatised in the mid-1990s.

Lord Hendy said: “TransPennine Express’s remarkable turnaround shows exactly why we’re bringing our railways back into public ownership as part of our plan for change.

“These impressive results demonstrate what happens when we put passengers and communities first rather than private profit.”

TPE managing director Chris Jackson said public ownership gave the company “space and stability to reset,” allowing it to focus on staff, passengers and communities.

It comes as South Western Railway joined the publicly owned network on Sunday.

All remaining franchised operators are due to be renationalised by 2027.