The National Rail network in Great Britain provides Inter-City, regional and local services, with the latter including suburban rail services in metropolitan areas. Since the privatisation of British Rail in 1996, these services have been provided by a number of Train Operating Companies under franchise agreements with the Strategic Rail Authority. Each company manages their rail services and the majority of stations they use. Network Rail, which is responsible for the track and lineside for the National Rail network (formerly Railtrack), is also responsible for the management of some of the largest rail stations.

Underground systems operate in London and Glasgow. The London Underground transports passengers between stations within the Greater London Area, and the operation of the London Underground remains in the public sector through London Underground Limited. In July 2003, Transport for London assumed managerial responsibility for the London Underground. The Glasgow Underground operates one circular route in Glasgow, and is run by the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive.

Light rail systems provide transport within metropolitan areas in Great Britain. These systems feature both segregated and on street running and some systems have underground stations. Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) supervise and provide financial assistance to local rail services and in some areas are responsible for the management of the services (e.g. the Tyne and Wear Metro). Private operators manage the majority of these light rail systems. Some systems, such as the Manchester Metrolink, share stations with rail franchise holders.

There are two light rail systems in London, the Croydon Tramlink and the Docklands Light Railway. Although these systems are operated privately, they are both the responsibility of Transport for London. Outside of London there are four major light rail systems. In Sheffield, the Sheffield Supertram is operated privately but owned by the South Yorkshire PTE. In Newcastle, the Tyne and Wear Metro is operated by Nexus, the Tyne and Wear PTE. The Manchester Metrolink and the West Midlands Metro are both privately operated. In addition, a new system for Nottingham, the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) is under construction and due to open in 2003. The Leeds Supertram and the South Hampshire Rapid Transit are both due for completion in 2006.

Commercial bus companies currently run the majority of local bus services in Great Britain. In terms of the number of passenger journeys made, local buses are by far the dominant public transport modality in Great Britain. Local buses outside of London were deregulated in 1986 and the privatisation of public sector bus operations also commenced in that year. In London, the tendering of local bus services began in 1985, and the vast majority of local bus services currently operating are private sector operations under contract to Transport for London. The PTE in metropolitan areas and the local authority in non-metropolitan areas are often involved in subsidising a number of socially necessary bus services.

Bus stations and bus shelters in metropolitan areas are the responsibility of the Passenger Transport Authorities (PTA) and Passenger Transport Executives (PTE). In non-metropolitan areas the local authority is responsible for the bus infrastructure. In some cases a private company is responsible for the provision and maintenance of bus shelters.

The British Transport Police (BTP) is the responsible police force for the railways in England, Wales and Scotland. The BTP are also responsible for the London Underground, the Docklands Light Railway, the Midland Metro Tram System and the Croydon Tramlink. Some rail systems and the bus networks are policed by the local Home Office police force in their area.

The Safer Travel on buses and coaches Panel (STOP) has been established to look at ways to combat assaults, anti-social behaviour and vandalism on vehicles and property. The panel is working to bring together those involved in dealing with the issue of safety and security. Representatives of bus operators, unions, transport and local authorities, the police, passengers and Government Departments are members of the Panel.