Our purpose as the System Operator is to make sure the network operates as one – seamless and high performing.
We do this by working as a partner across the railway to support the delivery of high levels of safe and efficient operational performance – contributing to an excellent experience for passengers, freight and our customers.
Our focus is on improving what the network is capable of by planning for the future; providing high quality analysis and advice; producing the timetable; and managing industry wide relationships.
Our strategic planning communities provide advice and choices to decision makers, especially funders and franchising authorities. We work with stakeholders collaboratively to understand, inform and communicate their goals and show how the railway can help achieve them.
We take an independent and long-term view, that goes beyond the duration of today’s franchises, to consider options including different timetable patterns; more trains; longer trains; infrastructure options (e.g. digital railway); or new physical infrastructure (e.g. grade separated junctions).
Our work includes demand forecasts, business case appraisals, whole industry economic and station capacity analysis, geographic and market-based studies, network studies, and portfolio advice to national funders.
Enabling changes to network capability, capacity and operation to be effectively and efficiently managed.
Our franchising team work with the government from early in development stages to make sure franchise specifications and bids realistic and workable.
Our enhancement communities develop the business case and secure funding for investment in the network’s capability and capacity. Acting as internal client for the realisation of the intended benefits. Renewals are planned in ways that benefit passengers and align with enhancements to promote operational and financial efficiency.
Event steering groups enable the delivery of major timetable changes and include affected operators and stakeholders.
Facilitating decisions on whether to support potential new access rights.
We provide capacity analysis and performance assessments to inform decision making by customers and the regulator on whether to advance an application for access rights.
The System Operator manages the Sale of Access Rights framework within Network Rail including access policies, the sale of access rights process, and the creation of the network-wide timetable.
Having the System Operator as a capacity allocation body allows Regions and Route Businesses to engage in more collaborative models (such as alliances) while complying with legislative requirements for separation and avoidance of conflicts of interest.
Delivering the timetable by balancing the demand between trains that serve small communities, fast non-stop trains and businesses that rely on freight.
We balance requests for track access from over thirty operating companies alongside the engineering access needs of the infrastructure businesses and publish information on capacity availability and congestion.
Our work includes maintaining the timetable planning rules, developing the Engineering Access Statement, delivering the working Timetable and managing timetable change.
Acting on behalf of the whole network means making challenging decisions. These may sometimes conflict with the wishes of one of Network Rail’s regions, a funder’s aspiration, or an operator’s business proposal.
Our aim is to be transparent in our decision making and welcome scrutiny.
Independent Advisory Board
‘The Advisory Board’ will hold the System Operator to account, for the development and delivery of its business plan on behalf of funders, customers and end users.
Activities include:
Ongoing consideration of our overall performance, priorities, risks, opportunities, plans and funding, capabilities and incentives
Monitoring delivery through scorecards and customer surveys
Promoting openness, transparency and scrutiny of our work
