Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has publicly apologized for the poor quality of East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, describing them as “unacceptable” due to ongoing issues linked to the new Aurora (Class 810) fleet. The problems have caused months of delays, cancellations, and overcrowding on routes including those to and from London St Pancras.
Timetable Changes and Industrial Action
In July 2026, EMR reduced its Intercity timetable to 87%, affecting the frequency and capacity of trains. The reduction was enacted amid reliability and maintenance challenges with the Class 810 fleet and existing Class 222 trains. On September 1, EMR increased services to 92% of the planned
timetable and plans to raise this further to 96% starting October 19, 2026. Strike action planned by the RMT union for September 16 and 17 was called off, although an “action short of strike” remains in place, risking further service disruptions.
Aurora Fleet Issues and Management Changes
The Aurora trains entered service in December 2025, after a three-year delivery delay. Operational performance and maintenance failures, particularly involving Hitachi Rail, have substantially impacted EMR’s ability to maintain consistent service levels. Following these issues, the managing director of East Midlands Railway stepped down. EMR continues to collaborate with Hitachi Rail and the Department for Transport to restore full
reliability.
Renationalisation Plans and Government Response
The UK government plans to renationalise East Midlands Railway by the end of 2027, in line with its strategy to improve infrastructure, reduce train delays, and enhance passenger experiences. This process can begin from October 18, 2026, the earliest date for contract termination without penalty. The government anticipates saving £150 million annually by ending payments to private train operators. The Department for Transport has not formally informed EMR of the exact transfer date.
Official Statements on Service Quality and Renationalisation
Heidi Alexander apologized for the substandard service this summer, stating, “I recognise people have received an unacceptable service this summer and I apologise for that. It’s
not good enough.” She emphasized that renationalisation is not an immediate solution, adding, “I’ve always been clear that the renationalisation of the railways is not going to be a silver bullet that transforms things overnight.” Alexander also stressed the need for EMR to improve service quality before public ownership begins.
An EMR spokesperson explained that the reduced timetable was necessary “due to a three-year delay to the delivery of the new Class 810 trains and after the performance the new trains and Hitachi Rail’s maintenance of EMR’s existing Class 222 fleet has significantly impacted upon EMR’s ability to run a
consistent Intercity service for customers.” The company expressed commitment to restoring full service levels as soon as possible.
