Open-access operator

An open-access operator is a train operating company that is not subject to franchising, instead purchasing individual slots on the mainline from a railway infrastructure company.

By country

Austria

• WESTbahn

Czech Republic

• LEO Express
• RegioJet

France

• Eurostar
• Thello

Germany

• FlixTrain
• Hamburg-Köln-Express took over by Flixtrain
• Harz-Berlin-Express
• Locomore route taken over by Leo Express

Italy

• DB/ÖBB Italia
• Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori
• arenaways (failed in 2012)

Portugal

• Takargo Rail
• Comsa Rail Transport

Slovakia

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

Slovenia

• Adria transport

Sweden

• Blå Tåget
• MTR Express
• Saga Rail
• Snälltåget (Transdev) (Malmö - Stockholm - Åre)
• TÅGAB

United Kingdom

• Eurostar
• Grand Central
• Heathrow Express
• Hull Trains
• Nexus
• London Underground
• Pre Metro Operations

In development

Reference: Network Rail

• Alliance Rail Holdings
• Europorte
• Go! Co-operative
• Glasgow Trains

Formerly in development

• First Harrogate Trains
• On Route Logistics (company dissolved)
• Platinum Trains
• Rutland Rail (company dissolved)

Future operators

• East Coast Trains (starts May 2021)
• Great North Western Railway (starts September 2019)

Former operators

• Heathrow Connect (absorbed by TFL Rail May 2018)
• Wrexham & Shropshire (defunct January 2011)