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.^[1]

Map of private long-distance passenger rail services in Central Europe

Passenger open-access operators by country

Austria

• RegioJet
• WESTbahn

In development

• Silverstar Railways^[2]

Czech Republic

• LEO Express
• RegioJet

Belgium

• Eurostar
• European Sleeper^[3]

France

• Eurostar
• Trenitalia France
• Renfe^[4]

In development

• Le Train
• Proxima^[5]
• Kevin Speed^[6]

Former operators

• Izy

Germany

• Eurostar
• FlixTrain
• Harz-Berlin-Express
• Nightjet
• WESTbahn^[7]
• European Sleeper^[3]

Former operators

• Hamburg-Köln-Express taken over by Flixtrain
• Locomore Stuttgart-Berlin route taken over by Leo Express

Hungary

• RegioJet

Italy

• DB/ÖBB Italia
• Nightjet
• NTV (Italo)
• Arenaways

Netherlands

• European Sleeper^[3]
• Arriva night services^[8]

In development

• GoVolta^[9]
• Heuro^[10]
• Qbuzz international services^[11]

Poland

• LEO Express

In development

• FlixTrain^[12]

Slovakia

• RegioJet (all services except those on Bratislava — Komárno mainline, which are franchised)

Slovenia

• Adria transport

Spain

• Ouigo España
• Iryo

Sweden

• MTRX^[13]
• Snälltåget (Transdev) (Malmö–Stockholm–Åre)
• TÅGAB
• SJ AB^{[note 1][14]}

Former operators

• Blå Tåget
• Saga Rail
• FlixTrain^[15][16]

United Kingdom

• Eurostar
• Grand Central
• Heathrow Express
• Hull Trains
• Lumo

In development

• Go-op

Former operators

• Wrexham & Shropshire (ceased trading January 2011)

Former proposals

• Alliance Rail Holdings (company dissolved) ^[17]
• First Harrogate Trains
• Grand Union (purchased by FirstGroup)
• Glasgow Trains
• Platinum Trains

Notes

1. Most services run open-access with the exception of Stockholm - Duved, Stockholm - Hamburg and services run by subsidiaries.