Network licence

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Network Rail's network licence requires it to comply with the conditions we set in the public interest.

In connection with the 2018 periodic review, we have revised Network Rail’s network licence to reflect the devolution of responsibility to routes and a system operator (SO) within Network Rail. The licence also reflects the policy in our overall framework for regulating Network Rail during CP6 and the reclassification of Network Rail as a public sector arms length government body.

The revised network licence constitutes a significant shift in how we regulate Network Rail, focussing our regulation on the routes and SO, while making more use of reputational incentives, including comparison between the routes.

Network Rail's station licence authorises it to operate one or more stations.