Strategy and policy

The rail industry exists to meet the needs of its customers and the public policy objectives of its funders. It faces a number of challenges: satisfying demand growth; holding down cost inflation; improving safety and performance; and its contribution to sustainable development.

ORR’s strategy focuses on how we, as the independent safety and economic regulator for the industry, will facilitate the industry meeting these challenges and achieving a better public interest outcome.

Our long-term vision for the main-line railway industry is a partnership of Network Rail, operators, suppliers and funders working together to meet the needs of passengers and freight customers and deliver a safe, high performing, efficient and developing railway.

We also recognise our responsibilities across the wider Great Britain rail industry (including the London Underground, metros and heritage railways) for safety and competition regulation, and we will approach these consistently with our statutory duties, and our vision for the main-line railway.