Who provides funding for community railways and groups such as community rail partnerships?
Funding for community railways is no different from anywhere else on the network. Network Rail is paid by the train operating company for ‘access’ to the network, a contractual agreement for the number, timing and type of train the operator wants to run. The operator receives income through the fares that passengers pay and from support grants made either by central government or sometimes by local authorities and passenger transport executives that want to support particular loss-making services. Network Rail also receives some direct government support for particular projects. Support to the national rail industry currently runs at around £87m per week. Government targets seek to reduce this level of subsidy. Community rail partnerships and other groups are funded by a number of different routes. Department for Transport has provided some grant funding whilst the Countryside Agency supported several partnerships: it is hoped the DEFRA (Department for Rural Affairs) will follow on thi
