| Avanti (West Coast) to be nationalised, March 2027 Posted by grahame at 05:01, 28th September 2026 |     |
From The BBC
Avanti West Coast train services will be nationalised from March next year, the government has announced.
"For years, we've heard stories of Avanti underperforming, with passengers left paying the price. Enough is enough," Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.
The move is part of a government plan to improve rail infrastructure, cut train delays and improve experiences for passengers.
Avanti West Coast's managing director said he was "proud of what we've achieved over the last six years". The company's contract was due to come to an end on 7 March.
In a post on social media, Prime Minister Andy Burnham echoed Alexander's comments.
"For years, people have been expected to put up with Avanti's cancellations, delays, overcrowding, and a service that has failed them time and time again," he said.
Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said: "We're proud of what we've achieved over the last six years – from refurbishing our Pendolino fleet and introducing our new Evero trains to running more services than ever before."
"For years, we've heard stories of Avanti underperforming, with passengers left paying the price. Enough is enough," Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.
The move is part of a government plan to improve rail infrastructure, cut train delays and improve experiences for passengers.
Avanti West Coast's managing director said he was "proud of what we've achieved over the last six years". The company's contract was due to come to an end on 7 March.
In a post on social media, Prime Minister Andy Burnham echoed Alexander's comments.
"For years, people have been expected to put up with Avanti's cancellations, delays, overcrowding, and a service that has failed them time and time again," he said.
Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said: "We're proud of what we've achieved over the last six years – from refurbishing our Pendolino fleet and introducing our new Evero trains to running more services than ever before."
No great surprise there - it's only been a question of "when?".
| Re: Avanti (West Coast) to be nationalised, March 2027 Posted by bradshaw at 08:22, 28th September 2026 | |
This is from the Guardian in May (scroll down the page) - expected nationalisation to be in early 2027, so this announcement is really for the Labour Conference. Another sound bite reiterated.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/18/avanti-west-coast-to-cut-one-in-seven-trains-on-its-busiest-intercity-routes
| Re: Avanti (West Coast) to be nationalised, March 2027 Posted by John D at 10:26, 28th September 2026 | |
Here is the actual Government announcement mentioning amendments to Manchester timetables.
Amendments sounds more like PR spin for cuts, presumably if it was expansion they would have said so
Changes passengers will see include:
Fewer delays and cancellations thanks to an extra £10 million boost for power and signalling maintenance to be delivered by the end of 2027. This is in addition to the existing £840 million investment to improve infrastructure problems, which account for a third of delays on the WCML.
Faster and more reliable services through changes to existing timetables, focusing on routes going in and out of Manchester. Amendments will start to come in from December 2026.
Upgraded facilities at Euston with a £50 million investment at Euston station over the next 3 years. £11 million will initially go towards creating more seating, better waiting areas and refurbished toilets and within the next year, passengers will also be able to access their train further in advance of departure to streamline boarding. A further £10 million will be invested in other stations on the WCML to improve comfort and cleanliness before the end of 2027.
More stable internet connection along the route through the deployment of low earth orbit satellite technology to secure faster and more reliable wifi and 5G coverage onboard.
Fewer delays and cancellations thanks to an extra £10 million boost for power and signalling maintenance to be delivered by the end of 2027. This is in addition to the existing £840 million investment to improve infrastructure problems, which account for a third of delays on the WCML.
Faster and more reliable services through changes to existing timetables, focusing on routes going in and out of Manchester. Amendments will start to come in from December 2026.
Upgraded facilities at Euston with a £50 million investment at Euston station over the next 3 years. £11 million will initially go towards creating more seating, better waiting areas and refurbished toilets and within the next year, passengers will also be able to access their train further in advance of departure to streamline boarding. A further £10 million will be invested in other stations on the WCML to improve comfort and cleanliness before the end of 2027.
More stable internet connection along the route through the deployment of low earth orbit satellite technology to secure faster and more reliable wifi and 5G coverage onboard.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-to-nationalise-avanti-west-coast-services-at-first-opportunity
