The United Kingdom Government has announced that Avanti West Coast train services will move into public ownership from March next year, as part of plans to reform the country’s railway system.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the move was necessary after years of complaints about the operator’s performance.
“For years, we’ve heard stories of Avanti underperforming, with passengers left paying the price. Enough is enough,” Alexander said.
Avanti West Coast’s contract is due to expire on March 7, after which the government will take over the running of its services.
The nationalisation forms part of a wider plan to improve rail infrastructure, reduce delays and cancellations, and improve passengers’ experiences.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham also criticised the company’s record, pointing to cancellations, delays and overcrowding.
“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.
However, Avanti West Coast managing director Andy Mellors said the company was proud of the progress made during its six years of operation.
“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.”
He added, “Over the coming months, we’ll work closely with the government to ensure a seamless transition into public ownership while remaining focused on delivering for our customers and communities.”
Avanti West Coast is a joint venture between FirstGroup, which owns 70 per cent, and Italian state operator Trenitalia, which holds the remaining 30 per cent.
In May, the operator announced that it would reduce services on some of its busiest routes following a government request to cut spending.
It said the changes were expected to cause minimal disruption and would not reduce revenues.
The company’s finances are heavily influenced by the Department for Transport under contracts introduced in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All train services operating under those contracts are being transferred to public ownership.
Great Western Railway, also owned by FirstGroup, is scheduled to enter public ownership in December.
Several other rail operators, including Great Anglia and South Western Railway, are already publicly owned.
Train services in Wales and Scotland were nationalised in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
