Railfuture campaigns nationally and locally for a rail system which will provide better, value-for-money rail services for both passengers and freight, over a bigger rail network.
Railfuture campaigns for satisfied passengers!
The rail industry must focus on delivering the best journey experience for all travellers. Rail services must be more welcoming, frequent, reliable, convenient, clean, comfortable, safe and above all reasonably priced. Good customer service costs nothing, but needs well motivated staff.
Satisfied passengers will travel by rail again, increasing rail revenue, reducing the cost of the railways to the taxpayer and so enabling cheaper fares. Get it right and the rail industry will contribute to economic growth.
Fares must be repriced to deliver value for money, remove the anomalies which lead to split-ticketing and encourage more people to choose the train - particularly for travel to the workplace. We are disappointed that fares increased again in March 2025 whilst road fuel duty did not.
GBR must create a customer-focused culture giving freedom to professional railway managers to make decisions that deliver increased traffic with a better commercial return and a 7-day service.
Railfuture campaigns for railway lines and stations to be opened or reopened, focusing on schemes which we believe will most support economic (housing / productivity) growth, and therefore offer the greatest chance of success. These projects would connect significant numbers of people to the rail network, increasing their opportunities in life.
Financial incentives are needed to encourage modal shift of passengers and freight from road to rail, maximising use of available capacity and reducing overall transport carbon emissions, air particulate pollution and road congestion, which will allow road spending to be cut.
Reducing the cost of operating rail services and meeting the government's zero carbon objectives for transport require funding for a sustainable rolling programme of electrification for Britain’s railways using a mix of technologies including overhead wiring, third rail, battery and hydrogen.
Light Rail. Light rail is the most effective mass transit solution for cities with a traffic congestion problem. Cities such as Vienna, Amsterdam or Bordeaux, where trams are an integral part of the public transport system, have far less congestion and rate as some of the most liveable cities in the world.
Freight. Railfuture campaigns to get trucks off the road and on to rail.
High Speed Rail. As a minimum, HS2 must be extended to Crewe.
Northern Powerhouse. Linking the great Northern cities of Liverpool, Preston, Manchester, Sheffield, Bradford, Leeds and Hull by a fast, high capacity rail network will create a single strategic economic entity to realise the economic potential of the region.
Go and compare. Railfuture searches for examples of best practice worldwide which can be applied in Britain.
Branch campaigns. Each Railfuture branch also runs local campaigns for improved rail services and expanding the rail network.
Information for campaigners including events, campaign guides, sources of funding and local groups.
Railfuture's fares campaign has notched up success with ticket offices reprieved, the London Travelcard saved, and fare rises in 2023 and 2024 less than inflation. Railfuture campaigns, including those for the Levenmouth and Northumberland lines, have helped to open more than 400 new stations and over 600 miles of new routes since 1960, supporting economic growth and providing new journey opportunities to passengers. The order for additional Elizabeth line trains saved jobs at Derby Works and the Portishead line reopening has been funded.
Welcome to Railfuture | Rail user help | What's on | Railfuture near you | About us
A better railway
Railfuture campaigns for satisfied passengers!
The rail industry must focus on delivering the best journey experience for all travellers. Rail services must be more welcoming, frequent, reliable, convenient, clean, comfortable, safe and above all reasonably priced. Good customer service costs nothing, but needs well motivated staff.
Satisfied passengers will travel by rail again, increasing rail revenue, reducing the cost of the railways to the taxpayer and so enabling cheaper fares. Get it right and the rail industry will contribute to economic growth.
Fares (and Ticketing)
Fares must be repriced to deliver value for money, remove the anomalies which lead to split-ticketing and encourage more people to choose the train - particularly for travel to the workplace. We are disappointed that fares increased again in March 2025 whilst road fuel duty did not.
Rail reform
GBR must create a customer-focused culture giving freedom to professional railway managers to make decisions that deliver increased traffic with a better commercial return and a 7-day service.
A bigger railway
Railfuture campaigns for railway lines and stations to be opened or reopened, focusing on schemes which we believe will most support economic (housing / productivity) growth, and therefore offer the greatest chance of success. These projects would connect significant numbers of people to the rail network, increasing their opportunities in life.
Modal shift
Financial incentives are needed to encourage modal shift of passengers and freight from road to rail, maximising use of available capacity and reducing overall transport carbon emissions, air particulate pollution and road congestion, which will allow road spending to be cut.
Electrification - lowest cost and zero carbon
Reducing the cost of operating rail services and meeting the government's zero carbon objectives for transport require funding for a sustainable rolling programme of electrification for Britain’s railways using a mix of technologies including overhead wiring, third rail, battery and hydrogen.
There's more
Light Rail. Light rail is the most effective mass transit solution for cities with a traffic congestion problem. Cities such as Vienna, Amsterdam or Bordeaux, where trams are an integral part of the public transport system, have far less congestion and rate as some of the most liveable cities in the world.
Freight. Railfuture campaigns to get trucks off the road and on to rail.
High Speed Rail. As a minimum, HS2 must be extended to Crewe.
Northern Powerhouse. Linking the great Northern cities of Liverpool, Preston, Manchester, Sheffield, Bradford, Leeds and Hull by a fast, high capacity rail network will create a single strategic economic entity to realise the economic potential of the region.
Go and compare. Railfuture searches for examples of best practice worldwide which can be applied in Britain.
Branch campaigns. Each Railfuture branch also runs local campaigns for improved rail services and expanding the rail network.
Fighting Fund
As well as working at local and national level with train operators and other stakeholders to secure a better railway. Railfuture makes awards to campaigners from its Fighting Fund to bring about improvements. Awards have been given, for example, for publicity initiatives and feasibility studies.Information for campaigners including events, campaign guides, sources of funding and local groups.
Consultation responses
Before making major policy decisions, both national and local government run formal consultations to find out what the public think about the issues. Railfuture’s realistic, informed submissions are well respected, so the rail user viewpoint is considered and we can influence those policy decisions.Successful campaigns
Our campaigns are frequently in the news.Railfuture's fares campaign has notched up success with ticket offices reprieved, the London Travelcard saved, and fare rises in 2023 and 2024 less than inflation. Railfuture campaigns, including those for the Levenmouth and Northumberland lines, have helped to open more than 400 new stations and over 600 miles of new routes since 1960, supporting economic growth and providing new journey opportunities to passengers. The order for additional Elizabeth line trains saved jobs at Derby Works and the Portishead line reopening has been funded.
Welcome to Railfuture | Rail user help | What's on | Railfuture near you | About us