Enjoy EuropeTravel by Train!

UK Rail with Rail Europe Overview

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Summary

UK Rail : Recent background, facts and figures

The TOCs network

Selling UK Rail : services and fares structure

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UK Rail :

Recent background, facts and figures

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UK Rail – Recent Background

Until 1992 • A public system with British Rail, the public, monopolistic rail operator

since 1948

In 1993, promulgation of the Railways Act • Privatisation of British Rail set in motion by John Major's Conservative

government• Re-organisation of the rail network :

the establishment of a single infrastructure management company (Railtrack, subsequently Network Rail) in 1994; and

the letting of 24 regional train operating franchises of varying durations from 1996 onwards to service the passenger market.

The franchise network was completed in 1997 :• The franchise network was completed in 1997. Franchises are subject

to review and re-award after a defined number of years, which differs across franchises.

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UK Rail – Facts & Figures

An Extensive and Accessible

Railway Network

15,795 route kilometers

2,500 stations

44% of population live within 25 minutes walk of a station

Passenger Demand at

Post-War Record Levels

1.27 billion passengers in 2008/09

3.5 million passengers per day in 2008/09

20,000 trains per day

50+% growth in journeys since 1997/98

104 million long-distance rail journeys made in 2007/08 vs 25 million domestic air journeys

Massive Investment &

Improvement Programmes

£5 billion invested in new rolling stock since 1996

Average age of fleet less than 15 years

More than £30 billion invested in infrastructure since 1995/96

Low Environmental Impact

Passenger rail contributes 0.5% of total UK CO2 emissions (vs 13.4% for road passenger transport)

Average CO2 emissions per passenger mile significantly lower than those for short-haul air, car and bus transport

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The UK rail network is the fastest growing railway in Europe, with passenger growth in excess of 50% since the franchise network was completed in 1997

UK Rail Organisation

Network

Rail

Office ofRail

Regulation

ATOC

TOCs

Department for Transport

Also: Passenger Transport Executives, Welsh Assembly, Transport Scotland, Transport for London

FranchiseAgreements

Track AccessAgreement

High LevelOutputStatement

PassengerFocus

funding

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The Railway Act establish a new regulatory framework to oversee the activities of and relationships between the various stakeholders

UK Railway Organization

Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) : • Regulates Network Rail’s stewardship of the network• Licenses the operators of railway assets and approves agreements and

charges for access to the network• Following the enactment of the Railways Act 2005, ORR has also taken

over the safety regulation role of the industry

Network Rail :• Owns, maintains and develops the railway infrastructure, including its

track, signaling, electrification equipment and structures (bridges/tunnels/level crossings)

• Successor organisation to original infrastructure manager, Railtrack

Train Operating Companies (TOCs) :• Manage the provision of day-to-day train services and champion

passengers’ interests• They provide and run train services and the majority of railway stations

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ATOC

ATOC • It stands for “Association of Train Operating Companies”• It’s an unincorporated association owned by its members, set up in

1994 by the Train Operating Companies (TOC) formed during privatisation of the railways under the Railways Act 1993.

• It’s a body which represents around 24 train operating companies that provide passenger railway services on the privatised British railway system

As the “official voice of the passenger rail industry”, ATOC • Coordinates of joint activities for its members (TOCs)• Manages & promotes of the National Rail brand• Provides support services to travel agents• In particular, on the international markets ATOC is in charge of the

distribution, promotion and marketing of the TOC Sales.

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International Markets Specificities

Until 2009 the only British product line to be sold on the international market was the BritRail one, distributed by ACP :

• Britrail Passes• BritRail OT (zoned priced)

As of now, the domestic fare range can be sold on international markets and Rail Europe is one of the 3 accredited distributors of this range in its markets.

The domestic fare range is the same as the range offered in UK (with a few exceptions : season tickets and discounted cards) and offers much more competitive prices.

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The TOCs Network

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Travel by Rail in the UK

15,795 kilometres of track that connect most towns of any size in mainland Britain.

London is the hub of the rail network where there are 14 ‘terminals, from which the principal lines that link London with other parts of Great Britain run. However, more and more companies are offering cross-country routes that means travellers can make a variety of journeys without having to cross London. If travellers do have to change trains in London there are a number of options for travelling around: these include London Underground services, buses and taxis.

There are also a lot of ‘metro’ systems such as the Newcastle Metro, Glasgow Underground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in London, and modern tram systems such as those in Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Croydon and Nottingham.

Northern Ireland has its own rail system – Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) has four main routes, radiating from Belfast which serve a number of major cities and towns and some coastal regions. It provides connections with UK ferry services in Belfast and Larne, with airline services at Belfast City Airport.

Finally, there is the Eurostar (passenger only) and Eurotunnel (vehicle with passenger) services through the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar services operate from London St Pancras International and Ashford International stations to Paris, Lille, Brussels and other destinations.

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UK National Rail Network

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Train Operating Companies

24 train companies that serve the length and breadth of the UK

The TOCs operate under a license

There are divided in 3 categories :

• 9 TOC operate long distance traffic

• 6 TOC operate regional traffic

• 9 TOC operate London & Southeast traffic

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Long Distance Traffic

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Regional Traffic

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London & Southeast Traffic

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Selling UK Rail :

Services and fares structure

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Services

Train Companies run many different types of trains across the rail network, offering a range of facilities. All trains are totally non-smoking and offer standard seating.Some trains offer additional facilities such as:

• First Class seating• Catering• Seat reservations

1st class Anytime tickets provide access to Lounges.WiFi and power points for laptops and mobile phone chargers are available on some trains.Modern trains are equipped with visual information displays and automatic announcements are made to keep you informed throughout your journey.

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Station Facilities

Station facilities in the UK vary but below are a range of facilities that can be found at many of the major terminals:

• Pay Phone Tourist Information Office

• ATM Bureau de Change

• Shops Public WiFi

• Trolleys Showers

• First Class Lounge Waiting Rooms

• Baby Changing Wheelchair-accessible Toilets

• Toilets Seating Area

• Information kiosk Help Point

• Customer Information System Web Kiosk

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Selling Tickets

The full range of fare will be available with Rail Europe

The main exception to this is “Season Tickets” which are only available for sale via TOCs, and discounted cards

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Domestic fare range overview

Main benefits• Local Fare Range, no more zone pricing• More competitive than the former BritRail Open ticket• Pass products still available in BritRail range

Mains limits • 8 travelers max• No groups booking• No Senior or Youth fares, in this case a railcard is required and can only be

purchased locally• No Pass holders fares

Good to know • From a technical point of view, Euronet will be connected to the TOC’s

distribution system through Evolvi• Evolvi is a technology provider accredited by ATOC

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Summary of fares types

In the past

• Over the years, individual TOCs have introduced their own fares, or used different names to describe generic fare types...

• As a result, the fare structure was complex, there were many fares on offer, which was a source of confusion for rail customers.

The fare simplification took place in 2008, terms and conditions applicable to each fare type were standardized, all across TOCs.

There are now just 3 types of fare making it simple.  All the train companies now use the same 3 names to only offer the same 3 types of ticket :

• Advance

• Anytime

• Off-Peak

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  ADVANCE = cheap, inflexible...

What

Single (one-way) tickets for selected journeys Available in First Class and Standard Class Best available price for each journey Possibility to mix and match Advance fares for a return journey

When /Validity Only valid on the date and train shown on the ticket

Availability Tickets must be purchased in advance of travel, from 12 weeks to the day before travel. Sold in limited numbers, subject to availability

Conditions of use /service

First Class Advance tickets do not always grant access to First Class Lounges at stations

Break of journeyNot possible to start, break and resume, or end the journey at any intermediate station except to change to/from connecting trains as shown on the ticket(s)

Exchange

Possibility to change to time or date of travel before departure of the first reserved train Origin, destination , Train Company and route must remain the same.Difference between the price paid and cost of the next suitable fare is payable, plus a £10 administration fee per person, per single ticket for each change to a journey. If a cheaper fare is available, the difference will not be refunded.

Refunds Non-refundable

Advance: buy in advance, save money

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  ANYTIME = fully-flexible...What Fully flexible tickets, with no time restrictions on when you can travel.

When /Validity

Anytime Single (One Way) and Anytime Day (Single and Return) tickets must be used on the date shown on your ticket. Anytime Single tickets : valid for travel on any train on the date shown on the ticket. Anytime Return tickets : the outward journey must be made within 5 days, and including, of the date shown on the ticket, and return journeys must be made within one calendar month

Availability Possibility to buy Anytime tickets in advance or immediately before travel Possibility to get on the train without a reservation.

Conditions of use /service

The outward part of an Anytime Return ticket is only valid for travel when accompanied by an unused return part of the same ticket First Class Anytime tickets provide access to First Class Lounges at stations

Break of journey Possibility to start, break and resume, or end the journey at any intermediate station along the route of travel (with conditions)

Exchange

Possibility to change : no restrictions on when you can travel, as long as the journey is completed within a calendar month for 'Anytime' tickets and on the date shown on the ticket for 'Anytime Day' tickets. Need to buy a new ticket and apply for a refund on the existing ticket in order to change the date of the single ticket or outward travel (for a return ticket), the route, or to downgrade from First Class to Standard class accommodationPossibility to upgrade the ticket upon payment of an excess fare, if continuing the journey to a further station, or upgrading to First Class

RefundsReturn unused ticket Rail Europe within 28 days of expiry date, Administration/Cancelation fee will apply. Refund amount takes into account any use of the ticket and in some circumstances no refund will be paid

Anytime : buy anytime, travel anytime

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  OFF-PEAK = flexible with restrictions...What

Cheaper tickets for travelling on trains that are less busy. Super Off-Peak is the cheaper Off-Peak fare with more restrictions, where is more than one Off-Peak fare for a journey.

When /Validity

Requirement to travel at specific times of day, days of the week or on a specific route. Generally, not valid on trains leaving London between 15:00 and 19:00 Monday-Friday, and on trains leaving before about 10:30 on Monday-Fridays. Off-Peak Single (One Way) and Off-Peak Day (Single and Return) tickets must be used on the date shown on the ticket and until 0230 on the following day. Off-Peak Return tickets : outward journeys must be made on the date shown on your ticket and return journeys must be made within one calendar month.

Availability Possibility to buy Off-Peak tickets in advance or immediately before travel. Possibility to get on the train without a reservation

Conditions of use /service

The outward part of a Off-Peak Day and Super Off-Peak Day Return ticket is only valid for travel when accompanied by an unused return part of the same ticket. First Class Off-Peak tickets may provide access to First Class Lounges at stations.

Break of journey Possibility to start, break and resume, or end the journey at any intermediate station on the return leg (but not on the outward leg) along the route of travel, unless the ticket restriction for the journey does not allow it.

Exchange

No need to travel on a specific train, but restrictions on the travel time Check at the station before travelling: you may find you don't need to pay an additional fare as long as your outward travel date remains the same. Off-Peak Day and the outward part of Off Peak tickets are only valid on the date shown on the ticket. Need to cancel and buy a new one if case of changing this date.

Refunds Return unused ticket within 28 days of expiry date, administration/cancelation fee will apply. Refund amount takes into account any use of the ticket, in some cases refund won’t be paid.

Off-Peak : buy anytime, travel off-peak

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Retrieving Tickets (1)

All UK Rail tickets are issued as e-tickets / TOD

Travelers will need to go to a station with a TVM (Travel Vending Machine) also called FastTicket or a ticket window in a station

There are 900 Stations with TOD, 400 have TVM

The list of stations will be available on the extranet shortly

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Retrieving Tickets (2)

To collect the ticket, it’s recommended to arrive at the station at least 20 minutes prior to departure

Customers must have a credit/ debit card plus their confirmation email containing their reference number (PNR).

The Ticket Vending Machine doesn't debit the card but matches the name against the name used for the booking and if the two match, it will print the tickets.

Follow steps on screen of the TVM

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Seat assignation

Where applicable, travellers must travel in the Class and reserved seat(s) shown on the ticket(s)

Travellers can reserve a seat on many longer distance services and reservations are recommended on busy services

When making a reservation, travellers can request the following: a window seat or an aisle seat

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Tips

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If the ‘Route’ also states ‘and Connections’, travel is allowed on appropriate connecting trains where shown on the ticket(s) or other valid travel itinerary.

If the route shown on the ticket has a †, the ticket includes the cost of travelling between certain London Stations (e.g. between Liverpool St and Paddington) by either London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) or First Capital Connect (Thameslink Route) services appropriate to the route of the journey being made.

Note: Tickets will only be accepted by London Underground and DLR on the date shown on the ticket (or last day of validity for return portions of Off-Peak Returns) and until 0429 the following day. - Other than to change trains, a break of journey at intermediate London Underground or DLR stations is NOT permitted.- Travel restrictions do not apply on weekends and public holidays.

Appendices

Train Operating Companies (TOCs)

Manage the provision of day-to-day train services and champion passengers’ interests. They provide and run train services and

the majority of railway stations

Department for Transport (DfT) Sets industry strategy, determines overall funding, awards franchises

Network Rail

Owns, maintains and develops the railway infrastructure, including its track, signalling, electrification equipment and structures

(bridges/tunnels/level crossings). Successor organisation to original infrastructure manager, Railtrack

Office of Rail Regulation (ORR)

Regulates Network Rail’s stewardship of the network, licenses the operators of railway assets and approves agreements and

charges for access to the network. Following the enactment of the Railways Act 2005, ORR has also taken over the safety

regulation role of the industry

Passenger Focus Independent public body, funded by the DfT, set up to protect the interests of rail passengers

ATOC

Facilitation, helping members to work together to meet their obligations and to promote the use of passenger services

Assisting members to co-operate on developing products and managing projects that benefit passengers, to promote the

advantages of the rail network, and to share best practice

Communicating with government, public bodies, European institutions and other authorities and media, as well as with third

parties, including other transport operators

Providing information through printed and electronic materials, conferences, meetings and seminars on passenger rail industry

issues and collecting, analysing and circulating relevant data

and TFL-operated services (with the exception of London Overground) are not members of ATOC

National Rail Enquiries

(NRE)

Established as a single point of contact for phone enquiries in 1996

Web and other self-service channels (PDA, WAP, SMS) now account for 90% of contacts

Principal tools are online Journey Planner, live departure boards and information on service disruption/engineering works

Network

Rail

Office ofRail

Regulation

ATOC

TOCs

Department for Transport

Also: Passenger Transport Executives, Welsh Assembly, Transport Scotland, Transport for London

FranchiseAgreements

Track AccessAgreement

High LevelOutputStatement

PassengerFocus

funding

Explanation of diagram slide 6

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Glossary

Break of journey: Alighting a train and exiting the station at an intermediate stop

Conditions of Carriage: The contract that passengers enter into with Train Operating Companies when they buy a ticket

CoP: Code of Practice for Ticket on Departure transactions

CTR: Customer Transaction Record – a customer’s Ticket on Departure reference

E-ticketing: Rail ticket-less travel

Eurostar: High speed train service directly from London St Pancras International to the centre of European cities such as Paris and Brussels

Evolvi: The brand name of a ticket issuing system accredited for travel agent use

FastTicket: Is the brand name of a national network of Ticket on Departure (ToD) machines.

Interchange Stations: A station where you can catch a connecting train

Metro: A local public rail transportation system, a subway system

Network: Any railway line, a collective term for the Industry as a whole.

Network Rail: An organisation responsible for running, maintaining and developing Britain’s tracks, signalling

system, rail bridges, tunnels, level crossings, viaducts and 17 key stations

NR: Network Rail (RFF UK)

NRE: National Rail Enquiries

NRS: National Rail Standards (for timetable, reservations…)

TFL: Transport for London

TIS: Ticket issuing systems: accreditation from RSP (Rail Settlement Plan)

TOC: Train Operating Company

TOD: Ticket on Departure. A facility which allows clients to collect pre-paid tickets from Ticket Vending machines and Booking Offices

TVM: Ticket Vending Machine

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