The Office of Rail and Road has launched a consultation on a draft Retail Code of Practice that is intended to create a level playing field for sellers of tickets.
At the moment, 14 separate operators run their own websites and apps, and these will be replaced by Great British Railways. However, independent retailers will continue, including open access and devolved operators in Scotland and Wales.
The ORR said its new code of practice should help to ensure that the market stays fair and open.
GBR will also manage the retail functions that other ticket retailers use, such as central industry IT systems, data processing and the issuing of third-party retailer licences.
GBR will not be allowed to discriminate against other ticket retailers, and to give them fair and transparent access to fares, products, systems and related services, without giving its own online ticket retail business an undue advantage.
The ORR said its proposed code of practice takes possible conflicts of interest into account, protecting commercially sensitive information and making decisions fairly and transparently.
GBR will be required to comply with the Retail Code via its licence, allowing ORR to monitor compliance and, where necessary, consider formal enforcement action. GBR will also be subject to competition law and need to act in a way which does not exclude competitors, distort the online retail market or abuse its position.
ORR’s director of strategy, policy and reform Stephanie Tobyn said: ‘Passengers should have confidence that the rail ticket market works fairly, whichever retailer they choose to buy tickets from.
‘GBR will have an important role in shaping the future retail market, while also selling tickets itself. Our proposed Retail Code of Practice will provide enforceable safeguards to help maintain a fair and open online retail market, supporting passenger choice.
‘We’ve already engaged with representative organisations and key stakeholders, and now we want to hear from everyone with an interest in the future online rail retail market. Their views will help us ensure the Retail Code of Practice is effective in supporting a fair and open market.’
The ORR is encouraging independent retailers, rail operators, passenger and consumer groups and other interested organisations to respond to its consultation, which runs until 11 December. The final Retail Code, is expected in the spring.
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