Open-access operator

An open-access operator is a train operating company that takes full commercial risk, running on infrastructure owned by a third party and buying paths on a chosen route and in countries where rail services run under franchises are not subject to franchising.[1]

Map of private long-distance passenger rail services in Central Europe

By country

Austria

• WESTbahn

Czech Republic

• LEO Express
• RegioJet

France

• Eurostar
• Thello

Germany

• FlixTrain
• Hamburg-Köln-Express taken over by Flixtrain
• Harz-Berlin-Express
• Locomore Stuttgart-Berlin route taken over by Leo Express

Italy

• DB/ÖBB Italia
• Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori
• arenaways (failed in 2012)

Portugal

• Takargo Rail
• COMSA Rail Transport

Slovakia

• RegioJet (all services except those on Bratislava — Komárno mainline, which are franchised)

Slovenia

• Adria transport

Sweden

• Blå Tåget
• MTR Express[2]
• Saga Rail
• Snälltåget (Transdev) (Malmö - Stockholm - Åre)
• TÅGAB

United Kingdom

• Eurostar
• Grand Central
• Heathrow Express
• Hull Trains
• Pre Metro Operations

In development

• Alliance Rail Holdings
• Go! Co-operative
• Grand Union

Former proposals

• First Harrogate Trains
• Glasgow Trains
• On Route Logistics (company dissolved)[3]
• Platinum Trains
• Rutland Rail (company dissolved)[4]

Future operators

• East Coast Trains (starts Autumn 2021)

Former operators

• Heathrow Connect (absorbed by TFL Rail May 2018)
• Wrexham & Shropshire (ceased trading January 2011)

References

1. Abrams, Martin (July 2015). "Passenger's Guide to Franchising" (PDF). Better Transport. p. 4. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
2. "MTR launches open access inter-city service". Railway Gazette International. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
3. "ON ROUTE LOGISTICS UK LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
4. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/06689679