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DfT Operator Limited has responsibility for train operators' ownership in England.

DfT Operator is a publicly owned company. Following the Royal Assent of the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill 2024, the Department for Transport instructed DfT Operator to assume responsibility for train operators’ ownership in England.

Formerly known as DfT OLR Holdings Limited (DOHL), the Department for Transport established DfT Operator in 2019. As of November 2024, it has 4 train operating companies:

  • London North Eastern Railway (LNER)
  • Northern
  • Southeastern
  • TransPennine Express (TPE)

DfT Operator aims to deliver safe, secure, and sustainable transport, ultimately delivering an excellent service for passengers at all times. Its unwavering commitment to improving journeys and supporting the industry in building a more passenger-focused railway provides stakeholders with confidence in its operations.

Its vision for its train operators is to unify and strengthen under one banner and, by working in collaboration, become industry-leading in terms of safety, financial, operational, and commercial performance and customer service.

DfT Operator works closely with its train companies to drive forward improvements for passengers and rail employees through its reform initiatives and it will ensure that its operators continually find better ways to make rail accessible for all.

DfT Operator initially took over the management of the East Coast Mainline, which was subsequently rebranded as LNER.

In March 2019, it formed a Rolling Stock Company (ROSCO) to manage a specific historical train leasing issue. It acquired a fleet of 40 trains until it sold them in July 2021 and no longer has any day-to-day operations.

In 2020, the Northern Rail franchise transferred to DfT Operator because it was underperforming and facing significant public scrutiny.

London & South Eastern Railway (LSER) – known as ‘Southeastern’ – became part of DfT Operator in October 2021 following a severe breach of the company’s franchise agreement.

In May 2023, the operation of all TPE services was transferred to DfT Operator via a Service Agreement contract to operate the franchise for 2 (+2) years.

The DfT Operator Group of train operators accounts for 15% of total UK passenger journeys, 22% of passenger miles, and 25% of train services. The Group has almost 17,000 employees.

DfT Operator took over the operation of:

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