Wikipedia / Open-access operator
Wikipedia / Open-access operator
In rail transport, an open-access operator is an operator that takes full commercial risk, running on infrastructure owned by a third party and buying paths on a chosen route and, in countries where rail services run under franchises, are not subject to franchising.
Passenger open-access operators by country
Austria
In development
Silverstar Railways
Czech Republic
Belgium
France
Nightjet (suspended 2025 after end of subsidies)
In development
Velvet
Kevin Speed
Germany
Harz-Berlin-Express
Former operators
Hamburg-Köln-Express taken over by Flixtrain
Locomore Stuttgart-Berlin route taken over by Leo Express, marketing through Flixtrain
Hungary
Italy
Netherlands
Arriva night services
In development
Heuro
Qbuzz international services
Poland
In development
Romania
Slovakia
RegioJet (all services except those on Bratislava — Komárno mainline, which are franchised)
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
VR Snabbtåg Sverige (formerly MTRX)
Snälltåget (Transdev) (Malmö–Stockholm–Åre)
Former operators
United Kingdom
In development
Evolyn
FS Italiane
Alliance Rail (Marchwood-Southampton)
Former operators
Wrexham & Shropshire (ceased trading January 2011)
Former proposals
Alliance Rail Holdings (company dissolved)
Grand Union (purchased by FirstGroup)