Industry | Rail transport |
---|---|
Predecessor | Association of Train Operating Companies, Rail Delivery Group |
Founded | 10 August 2012[1] |
Headquarters | London, England, UK |
Website | www |
The Rail Delivery Group Limited (RDG), previously the Association of Train Operating Companies, is the British rail industry membership body that brings together passenger and freight rail companies, Network Rail and High Speed 2.[2][3][4] The RDG is approximately half-funded by Network Rail, the remainder of its funding being provided by the various transport groups it represents.[2]
The current incarnation of the RDG was created in 2017 from the merger of ATOC and a preceding organisation with the same brand. It performs industry-wide communications, defines ticket validity, participates in the formulation of railway policy, and is responsible for the National Rail Enquiries service. The RDG operates several brands and services, including Interrail and National Rail. Since its creation, it has undertaken several initiatives, such as the opening-up of automatic ticket gates and ticket machines to competition, and the incorporation of new anti-fare evasion technologies at stations. During 2023, the RDG announced the planned closure of many staffed ticket booths across the network; later that same year, the plan was officially abandoned in the face of public opposition.