A comprehensive review of the rail industry is being launched by the Government next week, at a time when services have been plunged into chaos, infuriating long suffering passengers. And there was no let up today, hundreds of services on South Western railway and Arriva Rail North were cancelled or disrupted as members of the RMT union walked out in their long running dispute over guards. Hundreds of rail services are likely to be cancelled and replacement buses will operate on some routes. The review to be announced on Thursday is thought likely to examine how issues such those faced by the East Coast Mainline can be avoided in the future. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The East Coast Mainline service run by Virgin was taken back under government control

Transport secretary Chris Grayling has also faced questions over his handling of the disruption faced by passengers on services run by Govia Thameslink and Northern this year, following the introduction of new timetables. A spokesman for the Department for Transport, when approached by The Yorkshire Post, said: “Privatisation has helped transform our railway – doubling passenger numbers and delivering more services, extra investment and new trains. “We are absolutely committed to improving journeys and are always examining ways to improve how the railway serves passengers.”

It comes as rail services on two operators faced disruption today because of a fresh strike in the long-running dispute over guards on trains. Labour has said the franchise model is broken and it it was in power it would bring the railways back under public ownership.
The government of the United Kingdom announces that a review will be introduced Thursday of the rail franchise system amid criticism of its efficacy.