| Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) |
Industry organisation which represents the collective interests of the train companies which operate rail passenger services in GB |
| Consumer Price Index (CPI) |
Measures changes in the price level of consumer goods and services purchased by households |
| Control Period |
A set five-year period in which Network Rail has to deliver certain outputs |
| Department for Transport (DfT) |
The UK Government Department responsible for managing those rail franchises operating in England and Wales |
| Fares basket |
Selection of pricing options allowing operators the flexibility to vary fares within regulated limits |
| First ScotRail |
A subsidiary company of FirstGroup plc which currently operates as the ScotRail franchise |
| Franchise Agreement |
Contract between government and a train operating company for the delivery of rail passenger services |
| Franchisee |
The train operating company who provides passenger rail services in accordance with the current franchise agreement |
| Freight Operating Company (FOC) |
Companies responsible for the transportation of goods on the rail network |
| Glasgow Subway |
The underground railway owned and managed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. (Issues relating to the Glasgow Subway are not covered by this consultation). |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) |
The market value of all goods and services produced within a country |
| High Level Output Specification (HLOS) |
The strategic document which states what the Scottish Government requires Network Rail to deliver in a control period. |
| Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) |
Report which the Scottish Government's expenditure on infrastructure. |
| Initial Industry Plan (IIP) |
Document published by Network Rail and industry partners, representing industry's view on the next High Level Output Specification. |
| Interchange stations |
Train station serving more than one route, allowing passengers to change from one route to another |
| National Passenger Survey (NPS) |
Bi-annual survey of passenger views carried out across GB by Passenger Focus |
| Network Rail (NR) |
The owner and operator of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain |
| Off-peak |
The time of day which is not covered by the peak periods |
| Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) |
The economic and safety regulator for GB railways |
| ORCATS (Operational Research Computerised Allocation of Tickets to Services) |
A system designed to allocate ticket revenue when a ticket or journey involves trains operated by multiple TOCs. |
| Outputs (Network Rail) |
Network Rail performance achievements |
| Passenger Focus (Rail Passengers' Council) |
An executive non-departmental public body set up to protect the interests ofpassengers. It is sponsored by the Department for Transport |
| Parent Company Guarantee |
Guarantee to address financial risk |
| Peak periods |
Those times of the day when the majority of commuters use the rail system. There are different peak periods in different parts of Scotland |
| Performance Bonds |
Financial guarantee from the franchisee |
| Performance Incentive Payments |
A system of payments to encourage achievement |
| Public performance measure |
An assessment of the percentage of planned trains that are neither cancelled nor late |
| Rail passenger service operators |
Companies which provide train and station services, usually through franchises |
| Regulated fares |
Train fares for which Scottish Ministers set the rules on fare pricing |
| Retail Price Index |
A measure of inflation, published monthly, by the Office of National Statistics |
| Rolling stock |
The trains: both electric and diesel |
| Rolling Stock Leasing Company (ROSCOs) |
The companies that own the trains which are then leased by Train Operating Companies |
| ScotRail |
The brand name used for Scottish rail services operated by the ScotRail franchisee |
| SMART ticketing |
Integrated transport ticketing across modes and operators |
| Specification (franchise) |
How we set out what is required from the company running the franchise |
| SQUIRE (Service Quality Inspection Regime) |
A monitoring and audit process to determine the franchisee's performance in maintaining train and station facilities |
| Track access charges |
The levy placed upon train and freight operating companies to access specific routes on the GB rail network |
| Traction electricity costs |
Electricity used for powering trains |
| Train Operating Company (TOC) |
Companies which have a licence to run rail passenger trains |
| Transport Scotland |
The national transport agency of Scotland accountable to the Scottish Ministers |
| Sustainable Rail Programme |
Cross-industry group set up to tackle sustainable development issues |
| Unregulated fares |
Fares levied by the train operating company which are not regulated by government |