During the 1990s, senior management opted to heavily involve the firm in the recently privatised British railways, engaging in a spree of acquisitions to quickly expand Jarvis, building up substantial debts in the process.

During the 21st century, the company took significant reputation damage from its involvement in the railway sector after multiple incidents, including a train derailment at Potters Bar.

Despite exiting the rail maintenance business during October 2003 and a change in management, Jarvis was burdened heavily with debts, compelling the sale of multiple divisions.

[4][5] In 1994, Paris Moayedi was appointed as the Chief Executive of Jarvis; he opted to pursue an ambitious growth strategy focused on new and emerging sectors, refocusing the business on infrastructure maintenance and renewal.

[11] Beyond acquisitions, Moayedi was keen to secure large contracts for Jarvis, including the relatively new and controversial field of private finance initiatives (PFI).

[18] While the accident did not have an immediate impact, Jarvis was the private contractor employed to maintain the track and had failed to do so properly; considerable damage to the company's reputation was also incurred.

[12] In September 2007, Network Rail announced that the number of track renewal contractors would be reduced from six to four; Amey/SECO, Balfour Beatty, Babcock First Engineering and Jarvis.

"[36][37] While the firm continued to trade for a time, by October 2011, the majority of the business was in the process of being wound up as a buyer could not be found, resulting in over 1,100 job losses.