Media centre

Notes to editors

1. The Rail Delivery Group brings together the owners of Britain's train operating companies, freight operating companies and Network Rail to provide leadership to Britain's rail industry.
   • The group was set up in May 2011 in response to the call by the Rail Value for Money Study, chaired by Sir Roy McNulty, for the rail industry to demonstrate leadership
   • The Rail Delivery Group is focusing on the recommendations contained in the Rail Value for Money Study for reducing the costs and improving the efficiency of Britain's railways. It is concentrating on industry-wide issues in the context of the need for improved services to rail users and value for money for taxpayers.
2. The initial priorities being pursued by the Rail Delivery Group are
   • Improving the asset, programme and supply-chain management of the rail industry through closer co-operation between Network Rail, operators and suppliers;
   • Introducing flexible commercial and contractual agreements within the industry, between industry and government and between the industry and its suppliers;
   • Embracing technology and innovation in the working environment to enhance the contribution made by one of the industry’s key assets, its workforce;
   • Identifying ways to improve the utilisation of the train fleet by reviewing demand management, service specification and operating practices;
   • Achieving a quicker implementation of major technical projects by removing blockages and resolving commercial issues through the introduction of a Rail Systems Agency; and
   • Improving the industry’s planning by guiding the production of the Initial Industry Plan and the Strategic Business Plan.

3. The terms of reference of the Rail Delivery Group include
   • RDG will focus on industry-wide issues in the context of the need for improved service to rail users and value for money to the taxpayer. RDG will not duplicate or over-ride the primary accountability for delivery in the UK rail industry (which remains with the passenger and freight train operators and Network Rail) or the need for much stronger collaboration between these companies at a local level.
   • RDG will co-ordinate the objectives for key cross-industry groups including National Task Force (NTF), Planning Oversight Group (POG) and Technical Strategy Leadership Group (TSLG).
   • RDG will conduct a review of the recommendations made by Sir Roy McNulty in relation to the potential establishment of a [Rail] Systems Agency and a National Safety Task Force, including transition arrangements and potential changes to RSSB.
   • RDG will conduct a review of all other cross-industry groups to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
   • A key initial priority for RDG [was] to review with an intent to sponsor cross-industry work by Planning Oversight Group in preparation for the Initial Industry Plan (IIP) which [was] published in September 2011 including the scope for improvements in value for money and overall industry costs.

4. Membership of the Rail Delivery Group
   • RDG members are the representatives from the owning groups of the passenger and freight train operators and Network Rail.
   • The Chairman is Tim O’Toole, chief executive of First Group
   • The vice Chairman is David Higgins, chief executive of Network Rail
   • The Secretary is Graham Smith

The website of the Rail Delivery Group is www.raildeliverygroup.org

Postings to the website will be announced on Twitter @raildeliverygrp

The Rail Delivery Group can be contacted at info@raildeliverygroup.org and on 07515 627082.