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After confirming it is taking over the east coast main line, the government has admitted to a "possibility" it may nationalise two other rail franchises.
The transport secretary said the government would be taking the east coast services from National Express because it had defaulted on the terms of its contract.
But Lord Adonis denied suggestions the government was bailing out the rail company, insisting that no subsidy would be given to National Express.
He told the BBC: "The government is not prepared to renegotiate rail franchises because I am simply not prepared to bail out companies that are unable to fulfil their commitments."
The newly appointed transport secretary also sought to reassure the public that no disruption to services would take place, despite the nationalisation.
"We have tried and tested procedures in place for taking over train operations when existing operators are unable to meet their commitments," he stated.
"The staff who work for the National Express east coast operation will transfer to the new public operation. This will all be done in an orderly way later in the year."
Lord Adonis also confirmed that the government would be keeping the franchise for "about a year".
"We will re-let this franchise in due course," he explained.
The government will also "explore options" on the other National Express contracts, he said, confirming that the government could potentially nationalise the East Anglia and c2c franchises.
"That is possible," he accepted. "We have no reason to believe that any other company is anticipating defaulting on its obligations.
He added that National Express was an "isolated case".
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd