Greater Anglia is set to be nationalised by the Labour Party later this year in a bombshell move for the UK transport sector.

The Department for Transport said the train operator, which is the most punctual operator in the UK for the second successive year and is the current Train Operator of the Year, is scheduled to be nationalised on October 12, 2025.

Greater Anglia runs trains across the east of England and into London, and said its train services, timetables and station facilities would not be affected by the transition. It confirmed all employee roles would transfer across when nationalisation was completed.

Martin Beable, the operator's managing director, said: "I am very proud of what we have achieved here in East Anglia over the past thirteen years, significantly improving standards, investing in a complete fleet of new trains, and working closely with the local community."

Since 2012, Greater Anglia has pursued a £2 billion investment programme to upgrade its services, which has included new trains, improving performance and the quality of service.

Beable added: "As we transition to a publicly owned railway, we remain focussed on delivering outstanding levels of service for our passengers."

Greater Anglia hosted 82 million passenger journeys across its network in 2024/2025 and added there would be no changes to ticket validities or conditions of carriage for travellers. That figure makes it the fastest-growing operator in London and the southeast.

It runs train services in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, while also operating the Stansted Express airport service. The 48-minute route runs between the Essex airport and London Liverpool Street, with trains departing every 15 minutes during operating hours, seven days a week.

In December, it was announced that Greater Anglia would be one of the first train operating companies to be taken back into public ownership under Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government. It will follow South Western Railway and c2c in being renationalised.

Greater Anglia's fleet of rolling stock is maintained at Clacton-on-Sea, Ilford and Crown Point depots, located in Essex, Greater London and Norwich respectively.

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

For the latest news and breaking news visit: News - Latest UK & World News Stories | Express.co.uk

Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow our social media accounts here on facebook.com/DailyExpress and @‌Daily_Express