The Safe and Efficient Railway

The UK Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) recently published a business plan for 2010-2011. This article summarizes the plan, which is aimed at putting customers at the heart of regulation. The plan sets out how ORR will deliver the second year of its corporate strategy, and what they will do as regulator to push the railroad industry to provide the levels of service and value that passengers demand. The goal is for the industry to deliver a safe, high-performing, and efficient railway for all its customers. The plan focuses on several key areas including pushing excellence in health and safety across the entire railway sector; improving industry planning and value for money; ensuring Network Rail achieves its output commitments; and improving the quality of published data. ORR will continue to work closely with Network Rail, train and freight operating companies, and passengers over the next year so that their plan helps to deliver the levels of service and value that passengers demand.