ORR and the railway industry it works with

Rail Reform and the Railways Bill

20 November 2025

On 5 November 2025, the UK Government laid the Railways Bill (the Bill) in Parliament. The Bill will have a significant impact on ORR’s responsibilities, leading to a change in our overall role.

Reform of regulators and regulation

26 September 2025

What we are doing to reduce the administrative burden and support economic growth with our regulated entities.

Mainline network

30 January 2025

Network Rail is the owner and operator of the majority of national railway infrastructure.

Response to DfT consultation on primary legislative changes required to effect rail reform

19 February 2024

The Department for Transport consulted between 9 June 2022 and 4 August 2022 seeking views on primary legislative changes required to effect rail reform as set out in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.

Light rail and tramways

27 November 2023

ORR is the safety regulator and enforcing authority for light railways and tramways.

International engagement and co-operation

2 August 2023

This page outlines the organisations, forums and platforms we are involved with to fulfil our international work and support cross-border services.

Minor and heritage railways

1 August 2023

There are well over 200 minor and heritage railways operating across Great Britain, and we are responsible for regulating their safety.

Rail punctuality leading complaints as regulator intervenes over Grand Central and CrossCountry response times

6 April 2023

Punctuality and reliability continued to be the top cause for passenger complaints accounting for 18.6% of all rail passenger complaints between 1 October to 31 December 2022. Crowding (12.1%) and issues with ticketing and refunds (9.2%) complete the top 3 complaint categories.

Rolling stock companies

5 December 2022

Rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs) own most of the coaches, locomotives and freight wagons on the rails, which they hire out to train and freight operating companies.

ORR comment on rail reform consultation

10 June 2022

The Department for Transport has published its consultation on the legislative changes needed for its widescale rail reform, as set out in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.

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