Britain's railway system was restructured and privatised between 1994 and 1997. The industry now consists of separate companies, including infrastructure controllers, train and freight operating companies, rolling stock leasing companies and contractor companies to maintain and renew the infrastructure. Several government bodies have regulatory roles.
The GB railway is a complex system and all of the companies that are part of it share a common purpose. They seek to deliver a safe, reliable and environmentally friendly railway while offering value for money.
RSSB's primary objective is to lead and facilitate the railway industry's work to achieve continuous improvement in the health and safety performance of the railways in Great Britain. It is responsible for developing and maintaining Railway Group Standards, measuring and reporting on safety performance and providing safety intelligence. It also manages the industry's research and development programme, and provides support and facilitation for a wide range of cross-industry activities. This is usually achieved through RSSB’s support to cross-industry working groups and committees.
The Government's role in the running of the railways is to provide strategic direction and to procure rail services and projects that only it can specify. Responsibility for day-to-day delivery of railway services rests with the industry.
The Department for Transport's aim is transport that works for everyone. This means a transport system which balances the needs of the economy, the environment and society. The role of the Department for Transport is to determine overall transport strategy and providing leadership to manage relationships with the Agencies responsible for the delivery of that vision.
DfT's Rail Group was set up in summer 2005 following the Railways Act 2005 which gained Royal Assent on 7 April 2005. The Group combines the Department's overarching strategic and financial responsibilities for the railways with many of the functions formerly carried out by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA).
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) is the independent safety and economic regulator for Britain's railways.
The ORR is responsible for licensing operators of railway assets. Operators of trains, stations, light maintenance depots and networks must hold a licence, or be exempted from doing so.
Their inspectorate investigates breaches of health and safety legislation on the railways.
The ORR, develop policy and consider railway health and safety legislation to secure compliance with relevant health and safety law, including taking enforcement action as necessary.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is the independent railway accident investigation organisation for the UK. It investigates railway accidents and incidents on the UK's railways to improve safety, not to establish blame. Their purpose for investigating an accident or incident is to improve the safety of the railways, and to prevent further accidents from occurring.
The investigations are entirely independent and are focused solely on safety improvement - not apportioning blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) works for passenger rail operators. ATOC brings together all train companies to preserve and enhance the benefits for passengers of Britain’s national rail network.
The National Rail Enquiries Service and Rail Settlement Plan which allows passengers to travel on any part of the network are provided by ATOC as well as a range of railcards and promotional fares.
ATOC is a Trade association providing a national voice for Britain’s train companies and seeking to generate and shape policy on the railways, mainly through Policy, Operations and Engineering, together with Corporate Affairs.
Network Rail run, maintain and develop Britain’s tracks, signalling system, rail bridges, tunnels, level crossings, viaducts and 18 key stations.
The Railway Industry Association is the Trade Association for UK-based suppliers of equipment and services to the world-wide industry. It has around 140 member companies, active across the whole range of railway supply. That range is exceptionally diverse and includes many skills and resources which were previously part of the national railway undertaking but which now operate commercially in the private sector.
RIA members represent the greater part of the UK railway supply industry by turnover. Most large firms are members, as well as a wide range of smaller companies.
Passenger Focus is an independent public body set up by the Government to protect the interests of Britain's rail passengers. They are funded by the Department for Transport but independence is guaranteed by an act of Parliament. Their aim is to get the best deal for passengers with a strong emphasis on evidence-based campaigning and research.
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