What's an Open-Access Operator?

[Bittern]

Just something I've always wondered. What's the difference between them and regular TOCs?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Just something I've always wondered. What's the difference between them and regular TOCs?

On the passenger level, they have smaller networks that no other routes cover, or wheree there is a good market for something. Tghey have buy onboard fares, so do not share their money made with any other TOCs. Plenty of other reasons, I'll leave those to someone else though

 

[jopsuk]

Franchise TOCs have bid to operate services prescribed by the regulator, with either a subsidy paid by the government or a premium to be paid to the government. They must operate those services, and make certain commitments with regards punctuality, train refurbishments, investment in stations and other service matters. Most franchises consist of a mix of services from busy profitable commuter and intercity routes to quiet rural backwater routes- the TOC must run them all

Open Access operators apply to run individual routes. They identify markets not served by the franchises that they believe will be profitable. They will be awarded rights to operate trains over those routes at particular times, and pay a track access charge to do so. They don't actually have to run all those times- though I guess when their rights are up for renewal, any slots never used will be vulnerable. As I understand it, WSMR have oft changed their service level. The only penalty to not having a service is lack of income. They can withdraw a service without asking the regulator, and if the company is in financial trouble, the service will not be saved.

 

[142094]

Privatisation was, amongst other things, suposed to bring in increased competition, but of course with one company running trains in one area mostly as a monopoly, it didn't work very well. GC found that there was market demand for services to London from Sunderland and Bradford, or had a business plan which would mean they'd get a good return from their investment. Therefore this has increased competition but not everyone is happy about it. GNER tried to block GC before they even started running services and East Coast have been trying to lower the amount of revenue GC receives under ORCATS.

 

[attics26]

Privatisation was, amongst other things, suposed to bring in increased competition, but of course with one company running trains in one area mostly as a monopoly, it didn't work very well. GC found that there was market demand for services to London from Sunderland and Bradford, or had a business plan which would mean they'd get a good return from their investment. Therefore this has increased competition but not everyone is happy about it. GNER tried to block GC before they even started running services and East Coast have been trying to lower the amount of revenue GC receives under ORCATS.

might be market demand from Sunderland / Bradford but the money is from calling at York / Doncaster

 

[142094]

Exactly, can't be sure but I bet that they only make money on this part of the route and north of York/Donny is the real loss maker - unless there is a sudden upturn in demand at these stations.

 

[Bittern]

Oh, I see now. Thanks folks!

 

[tbtc]

1. Hull Trains
2. Grand Central
3. WMSR
4. The Jacobite Steam Train

Think that's all the Open Access providers. There are around twenty TOCs (fewer now than there used to be, as they get merged by the Government).

 

[E&W Lucas]

1. Hull trains
2. Grand central
3. Wmsr
4. The jacobite steam train

think that's all the open access providers. There are around twenty tocs (fewer now than there used to be, as they get merged by the government).

5. Nymr

 

[trickyvegas]

I hope we will be seeing Alliance Rail on this list in the future.

 

[jopsuk]

Charter/railtour operators- do they operate under "Open Access" rules, or is there a seperate system to deal with them?

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Charter/railtour operators- do they operate under "Open Access" rules, or is there a seperate system to deal with them?

Separate system.

 

[mrcheek]

Are Heathrow Express also considered an Open Access Operator?

 

[MCR247]

and connect?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Neither are subject to franchising, nor do they own any stations.... interesting.

 

[merlodlliw]

Are Heathrow Express also considered an Open Access Operator?

no, one of the profitable tocs

 

[jopsuk]

Not really- it isn't part of the franchise system, or in actually part of the National Rail system. It is its own little unique set up. Neither Connect nor Express have to, for example, publish performance figures.

 

[SouthEastern-465]

5. Nymr

Hasn't West Coast Railways got somthing to do with 'Open Access' operating?

 

[paulravuslante]

Neither are subject to franchising, nor do they own any stations.... interesting.

Apart from all the stations they serve at Heathrow....

Connect is a joint venture between HEx and FGW. It might be unique in that respect.