UK Regulator Proposes Rules to Protect Trainline from State Competition

Key Facts

1The Office of Rail and Road proposed rules to prevent Great British Railways from favoring its own ticketing platform.

2A new Retail Code of Practice requires granting independent retailers fair and non-discriminatory access to data and systems.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) proposed new rules to prevent Great British Railways (GBR) from favoring its own ticketing platform over independent competitors. Proactive Investors reported that the regulator has launched a consultation on a new Retail Code of Practice designed to ensure fair and non-discriminatory access to rail data and systems.

The proposed framework requires the state-backed GBR to grant independent digital retailers, including Trainline, transparent access to fares and products. This regulatory shift aims to mitigate structural risks and provide long-term clarity on the competitive landscape as the new state-backed platform prepares to replace existing operator digital channels.