Labour faces fresh criticism after taxpayers were billed an estimated £80,000 to repaint a nearly-new train for an event this week, in what critics have labelled a "gimmick".
The Mark 5A Chiltern Railways train was given a new Union Flag-inspired livery in the colours of Great British Railways (GBR) ahead of a government event at London Marylebone station on Thursday.
The event saw rail minister Lord Hendy celebrate Chiltern’s imminent return into public ownership, as the train operator’s private contract expires on Sunday.
Chiltern stands as the latest passenger rail company to be transferred into government control as part of Labour’s plan to bring Britain’s passenger rail services into public ownership.
However, the cost of repainting the train has been scrutinised, as critics described the exercise as an unnecessary use of public money.
William Yarwood, campaigns director at the TaxPayers' Alliance, told GB News: “Taxpayers will be gobsmacked that £80,000 has been blown giving a train a patriotic paint job for a government photo-op.
"Passengers care about trains turning up on time, not whether ministers have found the world’s most expensive tin of red, white and blue paint.
“Rail bosses need to explain how this eye-watering rebrand delivered anything remotely resembling value for money.”
Thomas Turrell, the Conservatives’ transport spokesman in the London Assembly, further called the reported cost a “needless gimmick”, arguing that the money would have been better spent improving rail services.
“The rail service needs greater reliability of service, not needless gimmicks like this,” he said.
“£80,000 to repaint an almost-new train borders on the offensive for what a waste it is, at a time when services are being cancelled or delayed.”
In a speech by Lord Hendy at Thursday's event, he defended the government’s programme of nationalisation, and said public ownership should ultimately improve the experience of passengers.
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“Every transfer into public ownership gives us the chance to tackle the bread-and-butter issues people care about: more frequent, comfortable trains that turn up on time,” he said.
Ironically, the train being used for the event had itself arrived five minutes late.
Labour’s rail policy argued that the current privatised structure, which separates train operators from Network Rail, has contributed to inefficiencies within the industry.
Chiltern’s Mark 5A trains were built in the late 2010s and entered service in 2019. Passenger trains typically remain in operation for several decades, meaning the repainting was carried out on a train relatively early in its expected lifespan.
The work is understood to have involved a complete repaint rather than temporary vinyl coverings, which are commonly used for one-off promotional events.
The reported £80,000 cost was equivalent to around 1,500 single fares between Banbury and London, the route taken by the special service before Thursday’s event.
Alison Griffiths, the Conservative shadow rail minister, questioned the decision to prioritise the train’s appearance while passengers continue to face disruption.
“The priority should be making sure trains that run on time and tickets are affordable. A fresh coat of paint delivers neither, however smart it looks,” she said.
A Department for Transport spokesman told GB News: "It is right government uses a broad range of channels to reach people across the country and explain how our policies affect them.
"The transfer of Chiltern Railways into public ownership marks another step towards Great British Railways (GBR) and a simpler, better railway for passengers.
"GBR branding is being rolled out gradually to ensure value for taxpayers’ money. So this will gradually appear on trains and at stations, incorporated with existing maintenance schedules wherever possible.
"Alongside this we are investing in delivering a better network, including new stations, £1 billion for new British-built trains to serve the north, and expanding tap-in, tap-out ticketing."
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Labour faces fresh criticism after taxpayers were billed an estimated £80,000 to repaint a nearly-new train for an event this week, in what critics have labelled a "gimmick".
The Mark 5A Chiltern Railways train was given a new Union Flag-inspired livery in the colours of Great British Railways (GBR) ahead of a government event at London Marylebone station on Thursday.
The event saw rail minister Lord Hendy celebrate Chiltern’s imminent return into public ownership, as the train operator’s private contract expires on Sunday.
Chiltern stands as the latest passenger rail company to be transferred into government control as part of Labour’s plan to bring Britain’s passenger rail services into public ownership.
However, the cost of repainting the train has been scrutinised, as critics described the exercise as an unnecessary use of public money.
William Yarwood, campaigns director at the TaxPayers' Alliance, told GB News: “Taxpayers will be gobsmacked that £80,000 has been blown giving a train a patriotic paint job for a government photo-op.
"Passengers care about trains turning up on time, not whether ministers have found the world’s most expensive tin of red, white and blue paint.
“Rail bosses need to explain how this eye-watering rebrand delivered anything remotely resembling value for money.”
Thomas Turrell, the Conservatives’ transport spokesman in the London Assembly, further called the reported cost a “needless gimmick”, arguing that the money would have been better spent improving rail services.
“The rail service needs greater reliability of service, not needless gimmicks like this,” he said.
“£80,000 to repaint an almost-new train borders on the offensive for what a waste it is, at a time when services are being cancelled or delayed.”
In a speech by Lord Hendy at Thursday's event, he defended the government’s programme of nationalisation, and said public ownership should ultimately improve the experience of passengers.
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“Every transfer into public ownership gives us the chance to tackle the bread-and-butter issues people care about: more frequent, comfortable trains that turn up on time,” he said.
Ironically, the train being used for the event had itself arrived five minutes late.
Labour’s rail policy argued that the current privatised structure, which separates train operators from Network Rail, has contributed to inefficiencies within the industry.
Chiltern’s Mark 5A trains were built in the late 2010s and entered service in 2019. Passenger trains typically remain in operation for several decades, meaning the repainting was carried out on a train relatively early in its expected lifespan.
The work is understood to have involved a complete repaint rather than temporary vinyl coverings, which are commonly used for one-off promotional events.
The reported £80,000 cost was equivalent to around 1,500 single fares between Banbury and London, the route taken by the special service before Thursday’s event.
Alison Griffiths, the Conservative shadow rail minister, questioned the decision to prioritise the train’s appearance while passengers continue to face disruption.
“The priority should be making sure trains that run on time and tickets are affordable. A fresh coat of paint delivers neither, however smart it looks,” she said.
A Department for Transport spokesman told GB News: "It is right government uses a broad range of channels to reach people across the country and explain how our policies affect them.
"The transfer of Chiltern Railways into public ownership marks another step towards Great British Railways (GBR) and a simpler, better railway for passengers.
"GBR branding is being rolled out gradually to ensure value for taxpayers’ money. So this will gradually appear on trains and at stations, incorporated with existing maintenance schedules wherever possible.
"Alongside this we are investing in delivering a better network, including new stations, £1 billion for new British-built trains to serve the north, and expanding tap-in, tap-out ticketing."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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