WHAT IS ATOC AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is an incorporated association owned by its members. It was set up by the train operating companies, formed during privatisation of the Railways under the Railways Act 1993.
As well as being the official voice of the passenger Rail Industry, it also provides its members with a range of services that enable them to comply with conditions laid on them in their franchise agreements and operating licences. These include:
Within ATOC’s Commercial Department there is a team of people responsible for the appointment of Travel Agents to retail Train Operators’ products. Their responsibilities include
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is an incorporated association owned by its members. It was set up by the train operating companies, formed during privatisation of the Railways under the Railways Act 1993.
As well as being the official voice of the passenger Rail Industry, it also provides its members with a range of services that enable them to comply with conditions laid on them in their franchise agreements and operating licences. These include:
- Revenue allocation and settlement
- National Rail Enquiry Service (NRES)
- Railcard marketing
- Staff travel arrangements
- International products
- The Relationship with London Regional Transport
- Travel Agent licensing and support
Within ATOC’s Commercial Department there is a team of people responsible for the appointment of Travel Agents to retail Train Operators’ products. Their responsibilities include
- Licensing & setting commission levels in line with TOC directives
- Distribution of Timetable, fares and product information, ticket stocks
- Provision of Ticketing, settlement systems, and Accountancy Service
- Facilitating the issue of tickets for all the Train Operators under one licence
- Co-ordination of training courses
- Providing Helpdesk functions for Systems, and Fares support
- Account management role with all Travel Agents and Trade Associations
- Currently there are approximately 1000 Licensed Agents of which 38 Agents are GBTA members.
- Adding all their Branches together equates to 318 licences.
- Total revenue generated by these Agents during the last financial year was £117.9m
- £260m revenue was generated by all Agents during the last financial year.