# Access



## Accessing the Real-Time Rail

Payments Canada is committed to fostering greater inclusivity, competition and innovation in Canada’s evolving payment landscape. All member participants providing real-time payment services will need to meet specific requirements related to safety, soundness and end-user experience such as:

- **Funds availability:** Funds must be made available to customer accounts within 60 seconds
- **Recourse, errors and exceptions handling:** Appropriate dispute resolution, and exceptions handling processes and procedures must be in place
- **Fraud management:** Necessary fraud management tools, procedures and fraud reporting mechanisms must be in place
- **Responsibility for service providers:** Any participant that enters into an agreement with a service provider for the performance of an activity or function complies with the Real-Time Rail By-law and rules
- **Incident notification:** Responsible for notifying of any operational incidents affecting the entities’ ability to send and receive payments

Visit our [membership page](https://www.payments.ca/connect/membership) to learn more about Payments Canada membership, system participation and expanding membership eligibility.



 



The RTR Participation Guide for PSPs


### Download *The Real-Time Rail Participation Guide for Payment Service Providers* to learn more about the competitive advantage the Real-Time Rail offers.

[Learn more about the application process](/node/1817)



 



 



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The Real-Time Rail: Access and Participation

### Learn about the eligibility requirements of the Real-Time Rail, upcoming changes to the *Canadian Payments Act* and future membership eligibility.



 



 

 

## Access policy

Read the [Bank of Canada settlement account access policy for the Real-Time Rail](https://www.bankofcanada.ca/core-functions/financial-system/bank-canadas-settlement-account-policies-for-payments-canada-payment-systems/bank-canada-settlement-account-access-policy-real-time-rail/) to learn more about the requirements that the applicant must meet for the Bank of Canada to consider granting a settlement account for the Real-Time Rail.

## Real-Time Rail participation

Participants can connect to the RTR using the option(s) most suitable for their business objectives and customers' needs.

To exchange payment messages, a participant can establish their own direct-to-exchange connection to the RTR, or use the services of a connection service provider. A connection service provider could be a participant offering connectivity services or a third-party entity.

To clear and settle payments, a participant can directly settle their own payments as a direct settlement participant. A direct settlement participant can also act as a settlement agent and settle payments for indirect settlement participants. An indirect settlement participant is an RTR participant who uses the services of a direct settlement participant who is an settlement agent to clear and settle their payments.

Payments Canada members that are eligible for Real-Time Rail participation but choose to leverage the services of a Real-Time Rail participant to indirectly settle payments in the Real-Time Rail must make arrangements with Real-Time Rail participants and are considered a member non-participant within the Real-Time Rail framework.