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About the rail industry
This section explains the companies and organisations involved in the rail industry.
We regulate the industry in accordance with UK and European legislation.
Rail industry
This section provides information about the different sectors of the rail industry and how we regulate them.
Legislative framework
Our work as a regulator is shaped by UK and European legislation.
Government
This section explains the main public bodies involved in the rail industry in the United Kingdom and Europe.
- Department for Transport
- Transport for London
- Transport Scotland
- Welsh Assembly Government
- Department of Regional Development, Northern Ireland
- Passenger transport executives
- European Railway Agency
Safety bodies
We are not the only body involved in health and safety on the railway.
- Rail Accident Investigation Branch – responsible for investigating rail accidents.
- Channel Tunnel Safety Authority – the independent safety authority for the channel tunnel.
- Rail Safety and Standards Board - builds industry-wide consensus and facilitates the resolution of difficult cross-industry issues.
- British Transport Police – the national police force for the mainline railways, the London Underground system, Docklands Light Railway, the Glasgow Subway, the Midland Metro tram system and Croydon Tramlink.
- Health and Safety Executive - the HSE gives advice to the Government on health and safety matters.
Industry companies
The rail industry is comprised of a number of types of companies:
- Network Rail – the rail infrastructure owner and operator.
- Train operating companies – who operate passenger trains.
- Freight operating companies – who operate freight trains.
- Rolling stock companies – who own and lease trains to train operating companies.
- Passenger support – information for passengers about how to make a comment or complaint about train companies.