Avanti West Coast to be renationalised in March
Rail operator linking London to Birmingham, the north-west and Glasgow had highest number of cancellations across network Avanti West Coast will be renationalised in spring, as prime minister Andy Burnham declares “enough is enough” for passengers who have put up with a rail service “that has failed them time and time again”. The rail operator, which is one of the worst in the country for train…
Avanti West Coast, a rail operator connecting London to Birmingham, the north-west and Glasgow, is set to be renationalised in March. The Labour government declared that "enough is enough" for passengers who have endured a service "that has failed them time and time again." With a high rate of train cancellations at 7.1% from April to June this year, Avanti joins a list of passenger rail services being taken over by the public body Great British Railways, which will oversee them fully by 2027.
The company's service, running from London to Manchester and Liverpool, has faced criticism for train delays, overcrowding, and high prices, with peak-time returns from Manchester to London as high as £300. Labour leader Andy Burnham emphasized that the decision prioritizes passengers over shareholders, promising more investment, fewer delays, and a renewed focus on delivering essential services.
The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, highlighted the underperformance of Avanti, with passengers left facing financial consequences. Avanti's managing director, Andy Mellors, acknowledged the company's achievements in recent years, including the refurbishment of its Pendolino fleet and the introduction of new trains. Chiltern Railways recently entered public ownership, marking the sixth rail operator to be nationalised under Labour, with the remaining four to follow by the end of 2027, including Great Western Railway in December.
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