Office of the Rail Regulator

Charter train services - Rail Regulator reports on progress
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date 11 April 1996
source Office of the Rail Regulator
type Press release

note ORR/96/12

The Rail Regulator, John Swift QC, today published a summary of the responses he has received to his recent consultation on charter train services, together with a report on progress so far.

Mr Swift said, "There has been a good response to this consultation, with many respondents in agreement with my analysis of the market and the significant problems which have arisen. I welcome the broad acceptance of my proposals to address these difficulties by many of the main players, in particular Rail Express Systems, Railtrack and the British Railways Board.

"It is clear that further work is needed by all parties to ensure a stable and secure future for the charter market. Charter train promoters must accept that services need to be provided on a commercial basis; equally, service providers must recognise the risk that potentially viable charter activity will be squeezed out of the market if they are not sensitive to the needs of charter promoters and their customers. If charter promoters are now paying the costs they impose on the rail network, then they should receive a proper service from those now charged with operating the railway.

"I will continue to monitor the performance of the charter market and will welcome further representations where difficulties persist or where further improvements are possible without detracting from the main business of the railway. I believe that the charter market can have a successful future and I look to all parties to work constructively together to achieve this."

When considering access charges in agreements submitted for his approval or determination the Regulator will now adopt the criteria he proposed in the consultation document. To address problems affecting the supply of services under unregulated contracts, both Rail Express Systems (Res) and the British Railways Board (BRB) have provided early drafts of the Codes Of Practice which the Regulator proposed should be introduced for the provision of services to charter trains. He has discussed with both parties a number of areas where he believes further work is required. The Regulator now looks to Res and BRB for early completion and implementation.

"Charter Train Services: a Report on the Regulator's Consultation Exercise" is available, free of charge, from ORR Library, 1 Waterhouse Square, 138-142 Holborn, London EC1N

"Charter Train Services: a Consultation Document" was published in December 1995 and is also available from ORR Library.

Railhub Archive ::: 1996-04-11 ORR-001