Improving Network Rail’s local accountability to customers

26 May 2004
ORR/14/04

The Rail Regulator, Tom Winsor, today introduced new arrangements to improve Network Rail’s local accountability to its customers. Network Rail will now be required to make and honour “local output commitments” to train operators to reduce delays to services.

Tom Winsor said:

“Each train operator will have a contractually binding commitment from Network Rail, supported by a performance plan showing the actions being taken to improve performance in their individual areas. This is an important step in ensuring that Network Rail responds to the needs of its train operator customers and by extension the needs of passengers and freight users. At first, the commitments will focus on minimising delays, but there is scope for other matters to be brought into the scope of this new regime of local accountability to its customers. This is a key part of the reform of the network code – the multilateral arrangements which underpin the operation of the railway – bringing track and train together in a true co-operative joint venture which recognises the intensity of the interdependence of infrastructure and train operations.”

Note to editors:

1. The arrangements are in Part L of the network code, which forms common conditions of contract between Network Rail and both passenger and freight train operators. The network code is designed to ensure that there are transparent multilateral processes for the operation of the railway. The Regulator has issued a notice switching on the arrangements in Part L for 2004/05. If Network Rail fails to meet the local output commitment by a given amount, it will be liable to pay compensation to train operators.
2. Part L of the network code and the network code document are available here.  

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