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How we are consulting on changes to support and implement rail reform.
As the Railways Bill progresses through Parliament and work continues to establish Great British Railways (GBR), ORR will consult on a range of policy, regulatory and implementation matters arising from rail reform.
This page provides a forward look of planned rail reform consultations. For each consultation, we will publish our proposals, supporting information and details on how to respond. The programme remains subject to change. Links to consultation documents will be added as they are published.
| Consultation | What it will cover | Publication period |
|---|---|---|
| Policy consultation on changes to non-GBR licences | This discussion document will set out ORR’s emerging views on any changes to the licences of non-GBR operators that may be necessary or desirable in the context of the establishment of Great British Railways and the wider rail reform programme. The document will seek early stakeholder views to inform further policy development and in preparation for ORR's formal policy consultation on proposed modifications (see below). | Closing date: 18 September 2026 |
| Retail Code of Practice consultation | This consultation will seek views on the proposed Code of Practice governing rail ticket retailing for the reformed railways. Current proposals are that GBR will undertake fares setting and retailing of tickets as well as managing the systems which govern and deliver the online ticketing retail market. The Code will cover requirements to support a fair and open market, including provisions on information sharing, commercial behaviour and data transparency. It will also set out arrangements for monitoring, compliance and dispute resolution. | Closing date: 11 December 2026 |
| Non-GBR licence policy consultation | This consultation will seek views on ORR's policy approach to modifying non-GBR railway licences in the context of rail reform. This will include details of potential licence modifications informed by DfT policy consultation on the GBR licence. | Autumn 2026 |
| Consultation on contractual transition for non-GBR facilities/ infrastructure managers | This consultation will seek views on model contracts and General Approvals for parties who grant access to non-GBR infrastructure or facilities. It will also identify changes to the non-GBR contractual suite to reflect the new industry and legislative environment. Responses will inform ORR’s final guidance, model contracts and any relevant General Approval for non-GBR parties. Following this, non-GBR parties granting access will need to use change mechanisms in their contracts to make these changes. | Early 2027 |
| ORR's policy on licence enforcement consultation | This consultation will set out ORR’s proposed approach to licence enforcement across the reformed rail sector (including both GBR and non-GBR licence holders). This will set out the principles underpinning ORR’s licence enforcement activity and describe how ORR will identify, investigate and potentially enforce licence non-compliance. | Spring 2027 |
| ORR’s approach to monitoring GBR consultation | This consultation will set out ORR’s proposed framework and approach to monitoring and reporting on GBR’s activities and delivery across its statutory functions and licence obligations. | Spring 2027 |
| Appeals policy consultation | This consultation will set out ORR’s proposed approach to carrying out its new appeals function under the reformed access framework. The consultation will set out the process that ORR will follow when considering these appeals, including expectations for appellants, GBR and interested parties. | Spring 2027 |
If you would like to discuss upcoming consultations or engagement opportunities, please contact: StrategyAndReform@orr.gov.uk.