UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has publicly condemned East Midlands Railway’s (EMR) service levels as unacceptable, issuing an apology for the disruption experienced by passengers this summer. Speaking during the announcement of the location for the new Great British Railways (GBR) headquarters in Derby, Alexander acknowledged months of delays, cancellations and capacity issues plaguing the operator.
Aurora Fleet Problems Spark Operational Disruptions and Industrial Action
EMR’s difficulties stem from persistent reliability and maintenance faults with the new Aurora Class 810 trains, built by Hitachi Rail and introduced into service in December 2025. These problems have caused a three-year delay in full train availability and contributed to strikes called and
partially carried out by RMT union members representing EMR staff. Although planned 24-hour strikes on 16 and 17 September were cancelled following talks, ongoing ‘action short of strike’ continues to threaten short-notice timetable alterations and cancellations.
Service Reduction and Recovery Timeline
In July 2026, EMR reduced its Intercity timetable to 87% of planned services between London St Pancras and key destinations due to Aurora fleet issues and associated maintenance setbacks. This reduction resulted in fewer carriages on some services and the cancellation of others, directly causing overcrowding and delays. The operator gradually restored service levels to 92% by 1 September and has outlined plans to
reach 96% from 19 October, reflecting improved operational stability.
Renationalisation Set for End of 2027 Amid Long-Term Reform Strategy
The Department for Transport (DfT) intends to return EMR to public ownership by the end of 2027 as part of a broader policy to consolidate rail franchises under Great British Railways. The transfer process may begin from 18 October 2026, coinciding with the expiry of EMR’s core contract term. This nationalisation aims to reduce annual costs by £150 million by eliminating payments to private operators and to improve passenger services. However, Alexander emphasized that renationalisation is not an immediate fix for driver shortages, delays or cancellations.
EMR Responds to Criticism, Commits to Service Restoration
An EMR spokesperson attributed the
reduced timetable to the delayed delivery of the Class 810 trains and to Hitachi Rail’s performance in maintaining the existing Class 222 fleet. The company acknowledged the impact of these issues on providing a reliable Intercity service and apologized for the disruption caused. EMR affirmed ongoing collaboration with Hitachi Rail and the DfT to enhance timetable reliability and pledged to restore full service levels as swiftly as possible.
Current Public Ownership Context and Future Plans
Several rail operators, including Greater Anglia and South Western Railway, are already publicly owned. Avanti West Coast services are scheduled to enter public ownership from March 2027 as part of the government’s
renationalisation drive. GBR is designed to centralize management of passenger services, infrastructure, and rolling stock investment, aiming to raise service quality over time through sustained investment rather than immediate operational changes.
