ORR consults on the future structure of track access charges and station long term charges, to apply from April 2009
8 June 2006
ORR/13/06
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has today published a consultation document on the structure of track access charges, and of the station long term charges payable by franchised and non-franchised passenger operators and freight operators.
The consultation is part of ORR’s periodic review 2008 (PR08), to determine the outputs Network Rail needs to deliver during the period 2009–2014, and the access charges payable by train operators.
John Thomas, ORR’s Director of Regulatory Economics said:
“Decisions on the right structure of track access and station long term charges are an important element of the periodic review. We consider that the right structure of charges would enable Network Rail to recover its reasonable costs from those who cause them and provide price signals to train operators and their suppliers, so that more informed decisions can be taken about the level, type and pattern of train services”.
ORR particularly seeks stakeholders’ views on:
- the possible introduction of a reservation charge to promote the efficient holding of access rights/train paths by operators;
- the possible phasing in of any changes to freight access charges; and
- the new process for setting access charges with Network Rail taking responsibility for calculating and proposing charges, consistent with our charging objectives and guidance, and subject to our audit and approval.
Notes for editors
- Copies of the consultation document can be obtained from the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/291.pdf.
- The consultation document builds on the Structure of Costs and Charges review, conducted from November 2004 to October 2005 http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/256.pdf and on the structure of station long term charges review http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/231.pdf.
- The closing date for responses is 7 September 2006.
Press enquiries
ORR Press Office – 020 7282 2141/2007
