Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has publicly condemned East Midlands Railway’s (EMR) service quality as “unacceptable” following ongoing problems with the new Aurora (Class 810) train fleet. Alexander issued an apology for months of delays, cancellations, and overcrowding that have impacted passengers across EMR’s network, including routes to and from London St Pancras.
Service Reductions, Strike Actions, and Timetable Changes
EMR’s Aurora fleet, manufactured by Hitachi Rail, entered service in December 2025 but has been plagued by delays and reliability issues, leading to a temporary reduction of the Intercity timetable to 87% in July 2026. This reduction resulted in some train cancellations and fewer carriages, causing overcrowding. The
timetable was partially restored to 92% on September 1, with plans to increase to 96% from October 19.
The RMT union, representing EMR staff, initiated planned 24-hour strikes on September 16 and 17; however, these were called off following talks with the operator. Despite this, “action short of strike” continues, allowing for possible short-notice cancellations and service changes.
Renationalisation Plans and Contractual Details
The UK government intends to renationalise EMR by the end of 2027 as part of a broader strategy to consolidate rail passenger services under Great British Railways (GBR). The earliest date for transferring EMR into public ownership is October 18, 2026, when
the current operating contract’s core term expires. EMR has stated the Department for Transport has not yet formally notified them of the transfer date.
Renationalisation aims to improve rail infrastructure, reduce delays, and enhance passenger experience while saving the government an estimated £150 million annually by ending payments to private train operators. GBR headquarters were recently announced to open in Derby, the city visited by Transport Secretary Alexander.
Causes of Service Disruption
Service issues with EMR stem primarily from delayed delivery and ongoing reliability and maintenance problems of the Aurora fleet. These trains arrived three years behind schedule, directly affecting EMR’s ability to operate
consistent Intercity services. Hitachi Rail is responsible for manufacturing and maintaining the Aurora trains and the existing Class 222 fleet used by EMR.
The resulting operational difficulties contributed to reduced services, increased passenger delays, and overcrowding. The managing director of EMR resigned amid these challenges, while RMT union strike action was triggered by the service disruptions.
Official Responses and Passenger Impact
Heidi Alexander stated, “I recognise people have received an unacceptable service this summer and I apologise for that. It’s not good enough,” emphasizing the necessity for EMR to improve before renationalisation. She also noted that public ownership is not a quick fix, saying, “I’ve
always been clear that the renationalisation of the railways is not going to be a silver bullet that transforms things overnight.” Alexander highlighted ongoing efforts to secure reliable infrastructure and rolling stock investment.
EMR acknowledged the need for the reduced timetable due to delayed train deliveries and maintenance challenges. A spokesperson said the operator raised services to 92% of the planned timetable in September and plans to reach 96% in October. EMR stated it is cooperating with Hitachi Rail and the Department for Transport to improve service levels and apologized for disruption and inconvenience caused to customers. Passengers continue to
face potential short-notice cancellations due to ongoing strike actions short of full walkouts.
