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.
Passenger open-access operators by country Austria RegioJet Westbahn
In development Silverstar Railways
Czech Republic LEO Express RegioJet
Belgium
Eurostar European Sleeper
France Nightjet (suspended 2025 after end of subsidies) Trenitalia France Renfe
In development Le Train Velvet Kevin Speed
Germany Eurostar FlixTrain Harz-Berlin-Express Nightjet Westbahn European Sleeper
Former operators Hamburg-Köln-Express taken over by Flixtrain Locomore Stuttgart-Berlin route taken over by Leo Express, marketing through Flixtrain
Hungary RegioJet
Italy DB/ÖBB Italia Nightjet NTV (Italo) Arenaways
Netherlands European Sleeper Arriva night services GoVolta
In development Heuro Qbuzz international services
Poland
LEO Express RegioJet In development
FlixTrain
Romania
Astra Trans Carpatic Regio Călători Softrans Transferoviar Grup
Slovakia RegioJet (all services except those on Bratislava — Komárno mainline, which are franchised)
Slovenia Adria transport
Spain Ouigo España Iryo
Sweden VR Snabbtåg Sverige (formerly MTRX) Snälltåget (Transdev) (Malmö–Stockholm–Åre) TÅGAB SJ AB
Former operators Blå Tåget Saga Rail FlixTrain Sydvästen
United Kingdom Eurostar Grand Central Heathrow Express Hull Trains Lumo
In development Go-op Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway Virgin Trains Gemini Trains Evolyn FS Italiane Alliance Rail (Marchwood-Southampton)
Former operators Wrexham & Shropshire (ceased trading January 2011)
Former proposals Alliance Rail Holdings (company dissolved) First Harrogate Trains Grand Union (purchased by FirstGroup) Glasgow Trains Platinum Trains
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