System Operator

Our role is to make sure the rail network operates as one that’s seamless and high performing for customers.

We are one of Network Rail’s functions, working across the five regions and fourteen routes, and passenger and freight train operators to keep passengers and freight moving seamlessly.

We do this by designing the system and rules for the rail network and train operators, making sure the railway is safe, efficient and performing at its best.

Policy and rail reform

The policy and rail reform team work across industry to address key policy issues around rail reform and a railway fit for the future.

We support the Railways Bill and provide industry insight and often act as the first point of contact for the business to support the creation of Great British Railways (GBR). This covers a range of issues such as devolution and mayoral partnerships, future GBR capability, and sector accountabilities. Development and implementation of GBR’s Access and Use Policy defines how GBR will decide how the railway is used, by itself and others, to best serve customers and taxpayers.

Network strategy and planning

The network strategy and planning team delivers strategic insight and analysis informing key decisions across the rail industry.
Our work includes shaping long-term policy and planning future network states, assessing passenger needs at stations and applying economic modelling to proposed rail investments, engaging closely with industry stakeholders on these key priorities for the network.

This work enables the rail industry to make informed choices on investment, reform, and delivery.

Freight and customer

Our mission is to accelerate the shift to rail of both goods and passengers.

From contracting access rights to advocacy for rail freight, our activity includes providing policy and support to route teams, improving passenger assistance across stations managed by Network Rail and driving safety improvements across freight operations. This team contributes to the safe, reliable and sustainable running of Britain’s railways.

The team manage the relationships with national train operators, charter companies and aspirant open access operators, driving effective service delivery for those who travel across large parts of the network.

We also provide technical leadership and support to our route colleagues who manage twenty of the largest stations on Great Britain’s railway network.

Capacity planning

Capacity planning brings together timetable requests from passenger and freight operators across Great Britain to create a single, safe and reliable national timetable.

We balance passenger and freight services with the engineering access required to maintain and improve the railway, ensuring the railway operates efficiently and makes the best use of available capacity. Working closely with industry partners, we manage the May and December timetable changes and coordinate updates throughout the year – supported by accurate data, performance modelling and future timetable development.

We also provide analysis and planning expertise to inform investment decisions and major programmes, ensuring the timetable remains dependable, current and responsive to the needs of passengers, freight customers and the wider railway.

Network operations

The network operations team support our operations colleagues across the routes and regions to keep trains safely moving and enable a high performing railway for our customers.

We coordinate activity across the railway and set the standards, frameworks, and pace for a high-performing network that operates as one.

As the professional heads of train service delivery, we take pride in running a safe, efficient, reliable railway through:

• Clear decisions
• Strong industry collaboration
• A sharp focus on performance

Holding us to account

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 System Operator Advisory Board was established in 2018 and served as the senior governance forum, providing challenge, advice and guidance to the leadership team. In preparation for Great British Railways, System Operator reviewed and consulted on simpler governance arrangements aligned to ongoing governance forums for holding Network Rail to account. As a result, we decided to close the System Operator Advisory Board and the final meeting was held in September 2025.