How do uk train companies get their money when several operator's run the same routes?

Question

Hi,

When i buy a ticket from brighton to london terminals there are 3 different train companies i can travel with. How on earth do the different companies get money fairly for the people that use their service?

Answer 1

Think of yourself as cargo.

In the US, there are different companies who have joint trackage rights, either by mutual agreement of the railroads involved or by directive from the government as a condition of merger between two or more carriers..

They are compensated by the shipper of the cargo (in this case, you), but depending on the terms of the agreement, the companies themselves split the monies in accordance with the agreement provisions for maintenance purposes of the joint trackage, etc.

Answer 2

The first answer misunderstands to UK position as the TOCs (train operating companies) don't own the tracks - that belongs to an entirely separate organisation, Network Rail to whom each TOC pays an 'access charge' for use. The apportionment of fare revenue between TOCs when a journey uses more than one operator is dealt with by The Association of Train Operating Companies - some information is available here:- http://www.atoc.org/rsp/

Answer 3

maximum has already been reported, yet I do ought to discuss the blunders on your suggestion re the Northern Line. the reality is that the trains in superb condition the dimensions of the prevailing underground structures. If an better carriage were to be added, how ought to the passengers for Edgware (no 'e') or severe Barnet get proper of entry to it, taking into consideration it ought to continuously supply up contained in the tunnel? Having commuted to Edgware regularly at one time in my existence, i will inform you passengers for that station would not go back and forth contained in the perfect automobile of a 9 automobile prepare because the station the front is at the front (a similar is going for top Barnet, I look to bear in ideas) prepare length isn't an excuse, that is an extremely solid reason. a thanks to boost skill is via better effective signalling allowing tighter headways between trains, to that end allowing better trains to be run.

Answer 4

Basically, the accounting is done on a percentage useage of the route basis.
ie. the company that runs the most trains, receives the greatest portion of the revenue.