This Order relates to the Merseyrail Electrics railway network (“the network”).

Articles 3 and 4 modify the duties imposed by section 76 and 77 of the Railways Act 1993 (general duties of the Rail Passengers’ Council and Rail Passengers’ Committees respectively) in relation to railway passenger and station services provided exclusively on the network so as to provide for the involvement of the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive in place of, or alongside, the Strategic Rail Authority. Railway passenger services on the network will be provided on and after 20th July 2003 by a concession operator under a concession agreement with the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive, rather than under a franchise agreement with the Strategic Rail Authority. The railway passenger services on the network were exempted from designation as being subject to franchising under the Merseyrail Electrics Network Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1946).