Signalling maintenance cost

[taepn]

Hi, everyone

I would like to ask you that in the UK, what is the proportion of responsibility for the cost of signalling system maintenance between TOCs and Network Rail?
In addition, the signalling maintenance cost is combined with the fixed track access charge or the variable track access charge?

Thank you

 

[30907]

I am not aware of specific charges made by NR to TOCs for signalling maintenance. AFAIK the cost is borne 100% by NR and recouped by TACs.

 

[100andthirty]

Question 1) - entirely Network Rail
Question 2) - linking costs to track access charge whether fixed or variable is not easy. I think the fixed charge is aimed at upgrades, and variable at maintenance, but i suspect that is grossly simplistic.

 

[Bald Rick]

Hi, everyone

I would like to ask you that in the UK, what is the proportion of responsibility for the cost of signalling system maintenance between TOCs and Network Rail?
In addition, the signalling maintenance cost is combined with the fixed track access charge or the variable track access charge?

Thank you

The cost of all signalling maintenance on the NR network is the responsibility of NR.

Question 1) - entirely Network Rail
Question 2) - linking costs to track access charge whether fixed or variable is not easy. I think the fixed charge is aimed at upgrades, and variable at maintenance, but i suspect that is grossly simplistic.

In very simple terms* the total value of fixed track access charges represents the cost necessary to operate and maintain the network in a steady state condition, with full availability, if no trains ran. The variable charge is that which accrues by the principle of trains running.

* as ever it isn’t this simple

 

[Tio Terry]

The fixed, trackside, signalling system is the responsibility of Network Rail. Any on train element of the signalling system - AWS, arguably GSM-R and any ETCS/ERTMS - is normally the responsibility of the TOC. As the industry moves towards in-cab signalling - Heathrow services, GW Mainline, ECML - more responsibility will transfer to the TOC and/or their rolling stock provider.