From Sunday 25th May 2025, South Western Railway (SWR) services (which includes Island Line) will be operated by a new company – South Western Railway Limited.
The change forms part of a planned move into public ownership.
No changes to daily experience
SWR confirms that passengers will continue to see the same trains, the same branding, and the same staff providing services.
Although the legal operator is changing, they say that daily travel for passengers will remain the same.
Operations and bookings remain valid
Until 25th May, First MTR South Western Trains Limited continues to operate the service.
All tickets, including those for journeys after the handover date, remain valid.
Customers should continue to buy and use tickets as usual and will receive updates about their bookings where necessary.
Changes to data responsibility
Responsibility for handling passenger data will pass from First MTR South Western Trains Limited to South Western Railway Limited.
The same systems and teams will continue to handle this data, and it will be used for the same purposes.
This legal change follows the “legitimate interests” basis under UK GDPR Article 6(1)(f), ensuring continuity without disruption.
No new uses of your data
South Western Railway’s reasons for collecting and using personal data will not change. Passenger data will be used in line with the law and the company’s privacy policy.
They say that no data will be used for purposes like marketing unless the passenger gives clear consent.
Who holds your data and how to act
From 25th May, South Western Railway Limited will be the controller of passenger data.
A new privacy notice is available, explaining your rights and how your data will be processed.
If First MTR South Western Trains Limited needs to retain any of your data after the transition, it will do so under its existing privacy notice.
To exercise your data rights before 25th May, contact SWR at [email protected].
Article edit
4.15pm 20th May 2025 – Saturday corrected to Sunday
