Future of Rail: Intercity & High Speed

With city regions crucial to improving UK productivity and growth, and rail uniquely placed to transport high volumes of people and goods directly to urban centres, what does the intercity connectivity need to look like to enable this?  This event will consider the future transport needs – what will passengers and shippers expect from the railway? - and also look at the learning from the UK and beyond about the delivery models that can achieve the needed investment at a predictable and affordable cost.

About the Future of Rail Series

The RIA Future of Rail series is back for 2026, leading and shaping the national debate on the future of the rail sector. Through a programme of dynamic events held across the UK, this series tackles some of the rail industry's most pressing topics.

With themes including Skills, Intercity, Investment, Devolution, Freight, and Passenger Experience, the series brings together thought leaders and industry experts to explore innovative solutions that benefit the sector and the country as a whole. Free for RIA members, these events provide a unique platform for fresh ideas, evidence-based insights, and strategic discussions.

RIA actively invites contributions from organisations with pioneering perspectives and research to shape the conversation, drive progress, and inspire meaningful change for the future of rail.