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The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is an incorporated association owned by its members. It was set up by the train operators formed during privatisation of the railways under the Railways Act 1993.

As well as being the official voice of the passenger rail industry, it also provides its members with a range of services that enable them to comply with conditions laid on them in their franchise agreements and operating licences. These include:

Revenue allocation and settlement
National Rail Enquiries
Railcard marketing
Staff travel arrangements
International products
The Relationship with London Regional Transport
Travel Agent licensing
ATOC's principal activities are:

Facilitation, to help members work together to meet their obligations and to promote the use of passenger services.
Assisting members to co-operate on developing products and managing projects that benefit passengers, to promote the advantages of the rail network, and to share best practice.
Communicating with government, public bodies, European institutions and other authorities, the media also to and from third parties, including other transport operators.
Providing information through printed and electronic materials, conferences, meetings and seminars on passenger rail industry issues and to collect, analyse and circulate relevant data.
Its work is administered through four companies: ATOC Limited, through which it provides most of its services, employs the staff and acts as agent for many of the schemes; Rail Settlement Plan Limited, which manages the revenue; Rail Staff Travel Limited, managing staff travel, and NRES Limited, the public information provider.