London Rail
Encyclopedia
London Rail is a directorate of Transport for London
(TfL), involved in the relationship with the National Rail
network within London, UK. It manages non-tube rail systems in London.
(LO), London Trams
and Docklands Light Railway
(DLR). It will also be responsible for Crossrail
. As part of an internal restructure within TfL, it recently merged with the (previously separate) London Underground
directorate, bringing all of London local transport services on rails under one division.
The London Overground was established in 2007 when TfL took over control of the former National Rail Silverlink
franchise in 2007. It has since taken on more services through a former London Underground line and over other network rail lines. London Rail lets a concession to operate the Overground. Operation is contracted to London Overground Rail Operations
(owned by MTR
and DB Regio
) until 2014/16.
London Trams is responsible only for the Croydon Tram known as Tramlink
. Tramlink was set up in 2000 by a private finance initiative. It was bought by TfL in 2008 and has been operated by it since. London Trams has been working on proposals for other tram schemes in west and central London, however as of 2011 all are unfunded or canceled.
The Docklands Light Railway was established in 1987 and has seen significant expansion since. Its operation is contracted out as a concession to the Serco Group
until 2013. There are also other concessionaires who have built and manage extensions.
Crossrail will also be operated as a concession from London Rail. It is planned to initially let the franchise
for 7 years from 2014, taking over control of Shenfield metro services from National Express East Anglia and then the Maidenhead / Heathrow services from First Great Western
in 2016.
network within London carries large numbers of commuters into London and also provides many local services, especially within South London
.
Under the Greater London Authority Act 1999
Transport for London was given powers to consult with the train operators and as such London Rail is therefore more of an enabler than an operator, and has developed partnerships with the Department for Transport
(who are responsible for rail strategy), Network Rail
(who own the infrastructure) and the various train operating companies (who manage the services) in order to further its aims.
A pilot project was launched in 2003 to promote the various services provided by train operating companies in South London under one umbrella brand, Overground Network
. The scheme included station upgrades, signage and publicity, but promotion of the brand had ceased by 2007.
London Rail also influences rail freight and freight depots in London. In August 2007, London Rail published its 'Rail Freight Strategy' report.
Former Mayor of London
Ken Livingstone
had expressed the desire to gain control of all rail services in London in the future and make them part of the London Overground
.
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
(TfL), involved in the relationship with the National Rail
National Rail
National Rail is a title used by the Association of Train Operating Companies as a generic term to define the passenger rail services operated in Great Britain...
network within London, UK. It manages non-tube rail systems in London.
Operations
London Rail manages the London OvergroundLondon Overground
London Overground is a suburban rail network in London and Hertfordshire. It has been operated by London Overground Rail Operations since 2007 as part of the National Rail network, under the franchise control and branding of Transport for London...
(LO), London Trams
London Tramlink
London Tramlink is an arm of Transport for London, which manages the second generation of tram services within London, UK. Current and planned tram systems are:*Tramlink operates a three-route system in the area of South London around Croydon...
and Docklands Light Railway
Docklands Light Railway
The Docklands Light Railway is an automated light metro or light rail system opened on 31 August 1987 to serve the redeveloped Docklands area of London...
(DLR). It will also be responsible for Crossrail
Crossrail
Crossrail is a project to build a major new railway link under central London. The name refers to the first of two routes which are the responsibility of Crossrail Ltd. It is based on an entirely new east-west tunnel with a central section from to Liverpool Street station...
. As part of an internal restructure within TfL, it recently merged with the (previously separate) London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
directorate, bringing all of London local transport services on rails under one division.
The London Overground was established in 2007 when TfL took over control of the former National Rail Silverlink
Silverlink
Silverlink Train Services Ltd was a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operated routes in North London and from London to Northampton...
franchise in 2007. It has since taken on more services through a former London Underground line and over other network rail lines. London Rail lets a concession to operate the Overground. Operation is contracted to London Overground Rail Operations
London Overground Rail Operations
London Overground Rail Operations Ltd , initially known as MTR Laing, is a train operating company contracted to operate the London Overground train service on the National Rail network, under the franchise control of Transport for London...
(owned by MTR
MTR Corporation
MTR Corporation Limited is a company listed on the Hong Kong Exchange and included in the Hang Seng Index. MTR owns and runs the Hong Kong MTR metro system, and is also a major property developer and landlord in Hong Kong...
and DB Regio
DB Regio
DB Regio AG is a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn which operates short and medium distance passenger train services in Germany, and operates light and heavy rail infrastructure in the United Kingdom.-Germany:...
) until 2014/16.
London Trams is responsible only for the Croydon Tram known as Tramlink
Tramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
. Tramlink was set up in 2000 by a private finance initiative. It was bought by TfL in 2008 and has been operated by it since. London Trams has been working on proposals for other tram schemes in west and central London, however as of 2011 all are unfunded or canceled.
The Docklands Light Railway was established in 1987 and has seen significant expansion since. Its operation is contracted out as a concession to the Serco Group
Serco Group
Serco Group plc is a government services company based in Hook, North Hampshire in the United Kingdom. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.-History:...
until 2013. There are also other concessionaires who have built and manage extensions.
Crossrail will also be operated as a concession from London Rail. It is planned to initially let the franchise
Rail franchising in Great Britain
Rail franchising in Great Britain was created by the Railways Act 1993. Passenger services are franchised, for a limited period, to train operating companies...
for 7 years from 2014, taking over control of Shenfield metro services from National Express East Anglia and then the Maidenhead / Heathrow services from First Great Western
First Great Western
First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
in 2016.
National Rail in London
The National RailNational Rail
National Rail is a title used by the Association of Train Operating Companies as a generic term to define the passenger rail services operated in Great Britain...
network within London carries large numbers of commuters into London and also provides many local services, especially within South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
.
Under the Greater London Authority Act 1999
Greater London Authority Act 1999
The Greater London Authority Act 1999 is the Act of Parliament that established the Greater London Authority, the London Assembly and the Mayor of London....
Transport for London was given powers to consult with the train operators and as such London Rail is therefore more of an enabler than an operator, and has developed partnerships with the Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
(who are responsible for rail strategy), Network Rail
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
(who own the infrastructure) and the various train operating companies (who manage the services) in order to further its aims.
A pilot project was launched in 2003 to promote the various services provided by train operating companies in South London under one umbrella brand, Overground Network
Overground Network
Overground Network was a branding initiative launched in 2003 by the Strategic Rail Authority and Transport for London, the public transport authority in London, UK. Its aim was to encourage use of National Rail services in South London...
. The scheme included station upgrades, signage and publicity, but promotion of the brand had ceased by 2007.
London Rail also influences rail freight and freight depots in London. In August 2007, London Rail published its 'Rail Freight Strategy' report.
Former Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
Ken Livingstone
Ken Livingstone
Kenneth Robert "Ken" Livingstone is an English politician who is currently a member of the centrist to centre-left Labour Party...
had expressed the desire to gain control of all rail services in London in the future and make them part of the London Overground
London Overground
London Overground is a suburban rail network in London and Hertfordshire. It has been operated by London Overground Rail Operations since 2007 as part of the National Rail network, under the franchise control and branding of Transport for London...
.