Railways Act 1993

6 Prohibition on unauthorised operators of railway assets

(1) Any person who acts as the operator of a railway asset is guilty of an offence unless—

(a) he is authorised to be the operator of that railway asset by a licence; or

(b) he is exempt, by virtue of section 7 below, from the requirement to be so authorised.

(2) In this Part—

• “operator”, in relation to any railway asset, means the person having the management of that railway asset for the time being;

• “railway asset” means—

  (a)

  any train being used on a network, whether for the purpose of carrying passengers or goods by railway or for any other purpose whatsoever;

  (b)

  any network;

  (c)

  any station; or

  (d)

  any light maintenance depot.

(3) Any person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(4) No proceedings shall be instituted in England and Wales in respect of an offence under this section except by or on behalf of the Secretary of State or the Regulator.