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Access for passenger operators

For guidance on how to apply for a track access contract for a passenger operator (including charter and open access) please read our Criteria and procedures for the approval of track access contracts (PDF PDF 1149 Kb) (C&Ps).

Potential new entrants to the market should familiarise themselves with our Starting Mainline Rail Operations (PDF PDF 832 Kb) document.

We advise all applicants to use our model contracts, provided below.

For international passenger operators wishing to apply for access to operate cross-border services, we have produced guidance on the assessment of new international passenger services (PDF PDF 345 Kb).

For previous policy decisions and workstreams, please see the policy and document archive.

For previous access application decisions, please see our decisions library or, for decisions in the last six months, the relevant decisions page.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Application form

Applicants should use a Form P application form (for passenger operators, including charter and open access operators) for all applications under sections 17-22A. The form is available below in Word and PDF format:

Model contracts

Applicants are advised to begin with the passenger model contract. Further guidance on this can be found in our C&Ps document above.

Passenger general approvals

We have powers under sections 18 and 22 of the Act to grant general approvals. The current passenger general approvals are listed below:

Last updated: 11 May 2012

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