Functions

The Rail Regulator was originally established by statute when Britain's railways were privatised in 1993. ORR's principal functions are set out in the Railways Act 1993 (as amended by the Transport Act 2000) (the Act). ORR also has concurrent jurisdiction with the Office of Fair Trading to investigate potential breaches of the Competition Act 1998 in relation to the provision of railway services.

As the economic regulator of the railway industry, ORR's principal function is to regulate Network Rail's stewardship of the national rail network. ORR also licenses the operators of railway assets, approves agreements for access by operators to track, stations, and light maintenance depots, and enforces domestic competition law.

When exercising its functions, ORR must discharge its statutory duties as set out under section 4 of the Act.