At the start of June, we published our independent report into how the rail industry handles revenue protection and fare evasion.
Our extensive review, commissioned by government last year, has found that the current system needs to work better for passengers, train operators and taxpayers.
We have provided recommendations which aim to protect both industry revenue and support passenger confidence in the system.
We’ve identified what we believe are the key areas which need improving and how these can be addressed, including making buying the right ticket simpler and easier; more consistency in how passengers are treated when ticket issues are raised, with a particular need to spot genuine mistakes; and more fairness in the use of prosecutions.
Revenue protection information needs to be easier to understand, with passenger rights set out more clearly; and more overarching oversight and coordination.
Train operators have stepped up their revenue protection efforts in recent years, though more should be done to improve the consistency, fairness and effectiveness of how rules are enforced to ensure a sustainable railway.
Improving the reliability of assistance for those passengers who need it is a top priority for us. I met for example with Northern Trains on 16 June to discuss their latest accessibility plan and we’re happy with how they have approached this to date.
It has also been Rail Safety Week. As part of which ORR joined colleagues from across the industry at RAIL Live on 18 and 19 June. HM Chief Inspector of Railways, Richard Hines spoke in the Safety Theatre about the challenges the industry has faced over the last 12 months, including our intervention on Network Rail’s assessments of structures. He also highlighted the opportunities ahead for the industry, as a result of rail reform.
Stephanie Tobyn
Director of Strategy, Policy and Reform
Top stories
ORR review reveals urgent need for reform in rail fare enforcement
We’ve now published our review into how the rail industry handles revenue protection. Our investigation examines the underlying reasons as to why passengers travel without a valid ticket, and how the industry responds to this. We’ve identified the key improvements needed to address these issues. Read the full article.
More cross-channel rail services coming down the track
On 5 June, we wrote to Eurostar and new applicants seeking to run cross-channel rail services, to set out the next steps for assigning access to Temple Mills International depot (TMI). These include Eurostar and new applicants providing us with the detail of their plans, to enable us to decide on the best allocation of capacity. We expect to make a decision later this year. Taken together with Eurostar’s and applicants initial plans, the analysis of capacity at TMI suggests there is room for at most one new operator at TMI. Read the full article.
Rail Safety Week – reflections from RAIL Live 2025
ORR’s Railway Safety teams joined colleagues from across the rail industry at attend RAIL Live 2025 in Warwickshire on 18 and 19 June. Richard Hines, HM Chief Inspector of Railways and ORR’s Director of Railway Safety, spoke in the Safety Theatre to give his perspective on delivering a healthier and safer railway, and on the challenges, successes, and the road ahead.
Richard thanked everyone for all that they do to deliver a healthy and safe railway. He reflected on his priorities for keeping the railway safe: maintaining standards; having clear accountability; consistent delivery; and a focus on continual improvement. He also emphasised that safety should be a guiding principle at the heart of rail reform and not a constraint. There was also the need for collaborative leadership across the industry, and across boundaries, to drive real cultural change.
At ORR’s stand, the team met and spoke with colleagues from across the rail industry. Here is Richard’s full recap of the event.
Rethinking access to welfare facilities
Richard Hines hosted a roundtable on 23 June to discuss improving access to welfare facilities for railway workers. Around 45 senior leaders from across the industry and colleagues from our four main Trade Unions attended. This was a productive session focusing on the importance of suitable welfare provision, such as toilets, across the system. Discussions reflected that while the industry has made some progress, including the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) getting greater data on welfare facilities, a more coordinated and collaborative ‘whole-system’ approach would accelerate improvements. Work is underway to prepare an industry-owned prioritised action plan to drive progress and improvements in the areas discussed at the event.
ORR’s deep dive into investment framework published
Following the Chancellor’s request for ORR to conduct a deep dive into the rail network investment framework (RNIF) with the rail supply chain and investment community we have published our initial conclusions with a letter to HM Treasury. Our review assessed the awareness, accessibility and effectiveness of the RNIF and identifies the wider barriers to private investment in rail infrastructure. Our recommendations include:
- A technical update of the RNIF and future alignment with industry and investment models
- Developing an infrastructure investment pipeline
- Creating a clear, credible investment model for rail
- Establishing a meaningful process for private sector engagement
These findings are now with the Treasury for review, and we will complete the technical update of the RNIF by November 2025.
Monitoring progress in the South West and East Midlands
Our performance teams are based across ORR’s different offices and travel out across the UK. As part of this work, teams went to Bristol this month to check on how the refurbishment of Temple Meads station is progressing, including the significant number of repairs to the roof.
The team also went to Network Rail’s control centre in Derby to learn about delays on the Eastern route. During the visit team members heard about the efforts that Network Rail’s East Midlands route is making to tackle delays caused by trespassers and, tragically, fatalities on the railway.
Blogs
Strengthening welfare: the key to a more inclusive and diverse rail industry
Reflecting on a recent roundtable discussion this month with industry and Trade Union colleagues, Richard Hines has written a blog on how improving welfare on the railway is crucial for ensuring an inclusive and diverse rail industry.
At your disposal: an interactive look at ORR’s land disposal decisions
Not many people know this - one of the vital roles ORR does is overseeing Network Rail’s sale of the land that it owns and ensuring that it isn’t disposed of against the public interest. Patrice Mothersille, ORR’s Access and Licensing Executive, describes how land disposal decisions can now be viewed using our new interactive map. Read Patrice’s blog.
Women in engineering
The theme of this year’s International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) has been 'Together we Engineer' and the power of collaboration and diverse perspectives in tackling engineering challenges. To celebrate, five inspiring female engineers from our team have shared their experience about their journeys, daily work, and what this year's theme means to them. Read more.
Statistics
In June we published the following statistics:
- Passenger rail usage, January to March 2025 published on 12 June 2025
- Passenger rail service complaints October 2024 to March 2025 published on 26 June 2025
- Delay compensation claims 5 January to 31 March 2025 (Period 11 to 13) published on 26 June