Track Access Regime: The International Practices And Pakistan Railways (Discourse Vol 1, Issue 2)

The “Track Access” or “Right of Access” agreements allow multiple train operators to provide rail services on a shared infrastructure. These agreements are called ‘Network Statement’ in Europe and an ‘Access Undertaking’ in Australia. These “information packages” establish the ‘rules of the game’ between the two parties. Most of these agreements have a similar structure, dealing in turn with:

• Prerequisites to grant access to an operator. These include a license for the operator, the rolling stock to conform to standards, and the suitably qualified staff.
• Characteristics of the infrastructure over which access is available, e.g., axle-load, line-speed, signaling systems, etc.
• Procedures for capacity allocation; in some cases, network management when there are traffic conflicts and incidents.
• Services supplied by the access provider, including access to yards, terminals, maintenance, and fueling facilities.
• Charges levied.