Consultation on Schedules 4 and 8 possessions and performance regimes

We are seeking views on a range of detailed issues relating to Schedules 4 and 8 – the compensation train operators receive for the financial impact of planned and unplanned rail service disruption attributable to Network Rail or other train operators. Schedule 4 compensates train operators for the impact of planned service disruption, and Schedule 8 compensates train operators for the impact of unplanned service disruption. Compensation is intended to cover fare revenue losses or costs, such as those associated with running replacement buses.

Passengers and freight customers care about disruption to their service. It is therefore important that we ensure that Network Rail and train operators are incentivised to work in the best interests of passengers and customers by avoiding disruption.

Consultation views will inform part of our periodic review of Network Rail's outputs and expenditure (PR13) – our assessment of what Network Rail must achieve during 2014-19, the money it needs to do so, and the incentives needed to encourage delivery and outperformance.