Find out what rail reform means for ORR.
Rail reform will bring significant changes to the railway and to some aspects of ORR’s role.
Here you can find out what the reforms mean for ORR and how we are preparing for our future responsibilities.
You can also find information on our consultations and engagement and follow progress across the different subject areas that make up the reform programme.
The Railways Bill
The Railways Bill gives ORR new roles and changes how we perform some existing functions.
Overview of ORR’s rail reform consultations
How we are consulting on changes to support and implement rail reform.
Monitoring whole-system performance
We are establishing how we will monitor and report on GBR’s performance against its business plan and the GBR licence, where we will also have an enforcement role.
Preparing for the future access and licensing regimes
We are developing our approach to carrying out our future access appeals role. We are preparing for the changes needed to licences and access arrangements for parties outside GBR that will remain subject to our licensing and access regulation.
Developing our approach to the Funding Period Review (FPR) process
We are working with funders to develop our approach to advising on and scrutinising future funding, business plans and settlements, including through the Funding Period Review 2029 (FPR29) process.
Establishing a relationship with the new Passenger Watchdog
We are shaping how we will work alongside the new watchdog to protect passenger interests and maintain effective consumer oversight.
The Retail Code of Practice for GBR
We are creating a Retail Code of Practice that will apply to GBR in its future role managing market-wide retail systems while also operating as an online ticket retailer. This new framework will support the Government’s objective of ensuring a fair and open online ticket retailing market.
Independent Health and Safety oversight through rail reform
We are maintaining effective, independent safety oversight as industry structures change, ensuring the continued delivery of our statutory health and safety responsibilities while enabling a safe transition to GBR.