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

  • Technology holds the key to painless parking
    March 21, 2014
    Parking has been the most innovative of all the transportation sectors in the past five years. Richard Harris, Solution Director, Xerox Services outlines some of the key drivers and trends
    Read More
  • Adopting universal technology platforms for tolling
    July 16, 2012
    Dave Marples of Technolution argues that the continuing development of tolling-specific onboard equipment is leading us up a blind alley. We should, he says, be looking to realise universal platforms with universal application. The near-future automobile contains information systems of a sophistication to rival a jet airliner of only a few years ago, yet is 'piloted' by a considerably less well-trained individual of highly variable mental and physical capacity, and operated in a hostile, unpredictable and p
    Read More
  • Technavio names top 5 vendors in the global smart highway construction market 2017-2021
    May 26, 2017
    Technology research company Technavio has announced the top five leading vendors in their recent global smart highway construction market 2017-2021 report. This market research report also lists 14 other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. According to the report, the smart highway construction market will grow at an exponential rate and post a CAGR of almost 94 per cent by 2021. The vendors in this market can expect significant market growth in the coming ye
    Read More
  • Performance indicators help differentiate between truck tolling systems
    August 20, 2014
    Traffic Quality Management Karl Ernst Ambrosch talks to ITS International about a new KPI-based methodology for assessing the efficacy of electronic toll collection schemes The debate over which is the ‘best’ solution for applications such as truck tolling is now years old.
    Read More

Highlighted Content