THE ROLE OF THE RAIL REGULATOR

The Railways Act 1993, which privatised British Rail, created the post of Rail Regulator, independent of Government, to supervise the terms on which operators gain access to the rail network, and protect the interests of customers. This article describes the Rail Regulator's functions, duties, priorities, and operating procedures. The functions fall into four main classes: (1) the approval of agreements for access to track, stations, and light maintenance depots between owners of these facilities and other operators; (2) the issue, modification, and enforcement of licences to operate trains, networks, stations, and light maintenance depots; (3) the enforcement of UK competition law on matters relating to the supply of railway services, concurrently with the Director General of Fair Trading; and (4) various consumer protection functions, including the approval of line closures. The regulator's duties include protecting the interests of railways services, including disabled people, and promoting the use and development of the rail network for freight and passengers, economy and efficiency, and competition. The article also discusses the Regulator's activities to date, procedures for public accountability and due process, relations with other regulators, and accountability to Parliament.

• Corporate Authors:

  International Railway Congress Association

  17-21 rue de Louvrain
  1000 Brussels,   Belgium 
• Authors:
  • Swift, J
• Publication Date: 1997

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 5-9
• Serial:
  • RAIL INTERNATIONAL
  • Volume: 28
  • Issue Number: 7

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abandonment; Administration; Competition; Contracts; Districts and authorities; Law enforcement; Organizations; Persons with disabilities; Privatization; Public transit; Railroad tracks; Railroad transportation; Transportation departments
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 155: Administration; 1105: Closing down (transp line); 235: Competition; 146: Contract; 1726: Disabled person; 1534: Enforcement (law); 9057: Organization (association); 171: Privatisation; 744: Public transport; 1173: Rail bound transport; 253: Transport authority; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Public Transportation; Railroads; Security and Emergencies; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00743041
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Nov 26 1997 12:00AM