## To

1.  
The Secretary of State, in exercise of 
the power conferred on him by section 8 of the 
Railways Act 1993 (the Act), hereby gives to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) the 
following general authority, which replaces the general authority given on 31 March 1994. 
2.  
Subject to the following provisions of this authority the ORR is authorised to grant a 
licence to any person whom it is satisfied demonstrates: 
a) 
good repute; 
b) 
financial fitness; 
c) 
professional competence; and 
d) 
appropriate insurance cover for civil liabilities  
consistent with the criteria ORR applies in respect of qualifications for a European licence,  
as described in Schedule 2 of the Railways (Licensing of Railway Undertakings)  
Regulations 2005.  

3.  
The ORR is authorised to grant a licence on such terms and conditions as the ORR 
considers appropriate, but, except with the consent of 
the Secretary of State, a licence 
may not contain any condition which relates to the level of any fares charged for travel by 
means of railway passenger services. 
4.  
The ORR shall seek the Secretary of State's agreement to any material changes it 
proposes to make to its template licences, and in particular, but not limited to, the standard 
licence conditions relating to: 
(i)  
Participation in approved schemes for through ticketing and network benefits; 
(ii)  
Membership of 
the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and compliance with the RDG 
Articles; 
(iii)  
Cooperation with Network Rail and passenger train and station operators so as 
to secure the provision of appropriate, accurate and timely information for 
passengers; 
(iv)  
Policy statements for meeting the needs of disabled passengers which take into 
account the Secretary of State's Code of Practice published pursuant to section 
71 B of the Act; 
(v)  
The publication of and compliance with procedures for handling complaints; and 
(vi)  
Liaison with Passenger Focus and London TraveiWatch. 
5.  
This General Authority will be reviewed within 5 years of the date on which it is issued 
. 
./ 
.~~ 
Paul Collins (Deputy Director, Rail Strategy) 
of the of