TOCs
What are they
In the UK rail industry, a Train Operating Company (TOC) is a licensed passenger rail business that runs services under the National Rail brand on infrastructure owned by Network Rail. TOCs either operate under contracts specified by government bodies (e.g. Department for Transport, devolved authorities) or as open‑access operators on selected routes.
Why they matter
TOCs are the primary commercial and customer‑facing entities in the British rail system, responsible for timetables, on‑train service, retailing and much of the day‑to‑day passenger experience. Their performance directly affects punctuality, crowding, revenue and public trust, and they sit at the interface between government rail policy, infrastructure managers and rolling‑stock owners.
There were more than 20 train operating companies in the UK in the mid-2020s. Image captured by AIVR.
Where they operate
The TOC model is specific to Great Britain’s post‑privatisation structure, where multiple companies operate over a shared national network previously run by British Rail. Overseas, similar passenger‑train operators exist but are usually branded as railways, concessions or operating companies rather than TOCs, for example franchised or concession operators under contracts with transport authorities in mainland Europe and North America.
Who uses them
The term is used by industry bodies, government and data users to distinguish passenger operators from infrastructure managers and freight companies. Practitioners encounter TOC codes and names in open rail data feeds, ticketing and capacity planning, while passengers mainly see them as the brand running their trains.
How they work
Most UK TOCs operate under contractual arrangements in which government specifies service levels and holds revenue risk, while the company delivers operations for a management fee. TOCs typically lease rolling stock, employ drivers and crew, manage stations where they are the station facility owner, and coordinate with Network Rail’s signalling and timetabling systems to run their advertised services.