NRSS Policy 

We provide access to New Zealand’s rail network, to rail operators who hold track access agreements and who meet the National Rail System Standards.

The standards provide a framework for the management of safety and change within the Rail Safety System (RSS). They also meet legislative requirements and Land Transport New Zealand’s Rail Safety Licensing and Audit Guidelines.

Anyone entering railway land must have the appropriate permission from ONTRACK or the relevant rail operator, generally KiwiRail or Veolia.

The public is permitted to enter railway stations and platforms and authorised areas such as yards, depots and leased land, by authorised routes.

The rail corridor is used by utility companies to install and maintain gas pipes, electricity cables and phone lines. We manage access to railway land for these companies with a permit system.

Oversized – or over dimensional - loads are larger than normal road loads. Oversized loads can cross the railway line, but a permit is required. 

There are walking and cycling tracks on both operating and inactive rail corridors.   We allow recreational activities on parts of the rail corridor as long as they don’t affect rail operations.

The Traction Overhead & Equipment safety rules are designed to prevent injury to anyone working near railway traction overhead wires and equipment.

There are around 1,390 public road level crossings and 80 stand-alone public pedestrian level crossings on the ONTRACK rail network.