FTA concerned over ORR track charges proposal

Responding to the announcement by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) regarding its decision of the change to track access charges for 2014-2019, the FTA has said that “there is still the need for better understanding of the rail freight market and the expectations of existing and potential new customers”, and believes that the ORR's final determination which will increase freight rates by 21 per cent over the control period, four per cent per year will be a major set-back for promoting future growth for th
November 1, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Responding to the announcement by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) regarding its decision of the change to track access charges for 2014-2019, the FTA has said that “there is still the need for better understanding of the rail freight market and the expectations of existing and potential new customers”, and believes that the ORR's final determination which will increase freight rates by 21 per cent over the control period, four per cent per year will be a major set-back for promoting future growth for the sector if this is passed through in full to end users”.

Previously FTA had voiced its concerns to the ORR over the proposed higher track access charges stating that this could lead to intermodal and retail traffic being pushed back off rail and onto roads.

In reply the ORR appears to have listened and responded to the Association’s and industry’s serious concerns which were expressed during the consultation process, and capped the proposed increases below that initially intended, thereby reducing the impact of the new charging regime.

Chris MacRae, FTA rail freight policy manager, said: ““FTA is pleased that ORR appears to have listened to our concerns regarding the impact the proposed charges could have on the freight industry, but it cannot be assumed that existing traffic will simply stay on rail.”

Related Content

  • Study reveals benefits of electric Beijing taxi fleet
    August 6, 2013
    The impact of introducing plug-in electric vehicles to the streets of Beijing, one of the world’s most polluted cities, has been examined by researchers from the University of Michigan in the ACS journal Environmental Science and Technology. They use big data mining techniques to understand the impact of fleet electrification. As part of the study, the researchers highlight that while plug-in electric vehicles have developed rapidly in recent years there are still uncertainties with regard to market accepta
    Read More
  • Global toll revenues $8.5bn while technology ‘battles’ continue
    April 9, 2014
    ABI Research’s Dominique Bonte talks to Jason Barnes about trends in tolling and how a wider appreciation of technology options is sorely needed. Global Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) solution revenues will grow to $8.5bn by 2018, with ETC becoming a main source of funding for both Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Vehicle-to-X (V2X) cooperative infrastructures, according to a new report from ABI Research (Chart 1). But, says the report’s author, ABI Research vice president and practice director Dom
    Read More
  • Is machine vision the future of enforcement?
    January 25, 2012
    Leading automated enforcement system suppliers talk about how they see machine vision technology affecting the sector in the coming years
    Read More
  • Videalert provides full time enforcement with part time workload
    March 19, 2014
    Videalert says its algorithms on automated enforcement can reduce the workload on staff while providing an effective deterrent to offenders. Colin Sowman reports. While members of the public may believe that the enforcement of parking regulations, bus lanes and box junctions has no practical benefit and is purely a money-making operation, for many authorities the opposite is true. Enforcement is a loss-making but vital exercise as illegally parked vehicles create obstructions and dangers leading to gridl
    Read More

Highlighted Content