The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators (CIRO) has today published a new policy paper, CIRO’s Operational Agenda for Great British Railways, offering practical recommendations to help ensure the UK’s rail reform delivers a railway that is both locally empowered and nationally coherent.
Developed by a group of CIRO Fellows, whose experience spans some of the most senior levels of the profession, the paper draws on decades of operational leadership and both UK and international insight to provide an operational perspective on one of the most significant changes to the railway in a generation.
As Great British Railways (GBR) continues to take shape, the paper recognises the significant opportunities presented by bringing track and train closer together under a single organisation. It also highlights the importance of ensuring that structural reform is supported by the right operational frameworks, leadership, culture and decision-making if the new model is to deliver lasting benefits for passengers, freight customers and the wider rail industry.
Rather than focusing on policy or governance alone, the report examines how GBR can succeed operationally by empowering the people responsible for running the railway every day.
The paper sets out seven strategic recommendations designed to support the successful implementation of GBR:
The report highlights that while organisational reform is important, the long-term success of Great British Railways will ultimately depend on its people. Creating a culture of trust, shared accountability and empowered decision-making will be essential if the industry is to realise the full benefits of integration.
Ben Rule, Railway Operations Director at East West Rail and Chair of the CIRO Policy Panel which produced the policy paper, said:
“Great British Railways represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how our railway operates. The direction of travel is positive, but successful reform will depend on much more than organisational structures. It will rely on the people who operate the railway every day being equipped, empowered and trusted to make the right decisions for customers.”
“This paper brings together the experience of some of the most senior operational leaders in our profession. It is intended as a constructive contribution to the ongoing development of Great British Railways, offering practical recommendations that place operational excellence, professional capability and whole-system thinking at the heart of reform.”
As the only Chartered Institution dedicated to the profession of railway operations, CIRO remains committed to supporting both Great British Railways and the wider rail industry through professional development, collaboration and the sharing of operational best practice.
The full paper, CIRO’s Operational Agenda for Great British Railways, is available to view here.
