Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has declared that ensuring the safety of women and girls on public transport is a fundamental government mission. The minister made these remarks during a significant visit to Wolverhampton Railway Station, where she officially marked the transition of West Midlands Trains into public ownership.
A Pivotal Moment for Midlands Rail Services
This Sunday will see London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services formally integrated into the new unified railway system, Great British Railways. Ms Alexander highlighted that this historic change is expected to deliver more punctual services with fewer cancellations, alongside generating substantial annual savings of up to £150 million for the public purse.
Safety at the Forefront of the Agenda
When questioned by the Local Democracy Reporting Service about whether these operational changes would translate into tangible safety improvements for female passengers, the Transport Secretary provided a robust response. While she did not confirm the rollout of a specific national reporting scheme for transport services, she underscored the government's unwavering commitment.
"Everyone who uses the public transport network should be safe and feel safe," stated Ms Alexander. "That’s why this government works very closely with the British Transport Police, who have a major priority in tackling violence against women and girls. We have a clear mission to halve such violence. People using trains and the wider network not only need to be safe but they need to feel safe as well."
She acknowledged positive initiatives elsewhere in the country where fellow passengers have been encouraged to report incidents, suggesting community involvement is a key component of the strategy.
The Benefits of Public Ownership
Elaborating on the rationale behind the shift to public control, Ms Alexander pointed to a track record of success. "We’ve already transferred a number of train operating companies into public ownership," she noted. "Publicly operated train companies are performing better when it comes to punctuality and cancellations. I don’t want anybody standing on a platform in the West Midlands waiting for a train that never turns up."
The minister also announced a landmark policy: a freeze on rail fares for the first time in three decades. "This is a really significant intervention because we know how important an affordable train system is for the public," she explained, referencing recent inflationary fare increases.
Her vision is for a railway that offers good, reliable, comfortable, and affordable transport options. The move away from private management, she argued, removes the substantial fees previously paid to companies which, in her assessment, had delivered "pretty appalling services over recent years."
The visit was also attended by local leaders, including Wolverhampton City Council Leader Stephen Simkins and MP for Wolverhampton North East, Sureena Brackenridge, highlighting the cross-party and community importance of both safety and reliable rail services in the region.
