THE Association of Train Operating Companies has ceased to be one of the public voices of the railway.

It has been announced that its role in representing a substantial part of the industry passed to the Rail Delivery Group today.

ATOC chief executive Michael Roberts has been named as the new director-general of the RDG, succeeding Graham Smith.

In a related move, ATOC's independent chairman Tom Smith is standing down at the end of the year. Tributes are being paid to him, including this comment from Michael Roberts, who said: "Tom has been a great ambassador for rail during an incredibly eventful period for the industry.  We at ATOC have valued enormously his leadership and we wish him all good fortune for the future.”

ATOC explained why the changes are being made, saying: 'Network Rail, train operating companies and freight operating companies have agreed the RDG will assume responsibility for policy formulation and communications on behalf of the rail industry. To advance this objective, ATOC will combine its communications and policy functions with complementary resources from Network Rail and support from other RDG members, to operate in future for the RDG as a whole.'

The statement added: 'The creation of an expanded executive team will strengthen the RDG’s capabilities to develop policies which benefit rail users and taxpayers, and enable it to provide the railway with a unified voice.'

Reform had been widely expected, although ATOC Ltd will continue to run the various rail business services, such as National Rail Enquiries, Rail Settlement Plan and Staff Travel.

RDG chairman Tim O’Toole said: “Britain's railways have been transformed over the past 20 years, delivering record levels of growth and performance.  Greater coordination among the train operators, freight companies and Network Rail is the next logical step for the industry to evolve to the next stage of capability. The combination of ATOC resources with Network Rail will provide clear, unified leadership for the industry and ensure it is best placed to build on its unmatched record of success."

However, the new arrangements do not go far enough, according to some politicians. Labour's shadow rail minister Lilian Greenwood said: “This announcement underlines the case for further reform. The Rail Delivery Group is not fully representative of the wider rail industry and it is lacking in transparency, despite its increasing influence over Government policy.

“Ministers must now ensure essential decisions that affect passengers are subject to proper levels of scrutiny, not hidden away behind a cloak of commercial confidentiality.”