"we'll work closely with the government to ensure a seamless transition"
Avanti West Coast train services will be nationalised from March 2027, as part of the Government’s plans to reform Britain’s railways.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“For years, we’ve heard stories of Avanti underperforming, with passengers left paying the price. Enough is enough.”
The Government said the move forms part of wider plans to improve rail infrastructure, reduce delays and provide a better experience for passengers.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham echoed Alexander’s comments in a social media post, criticising the operator’s record on cancellations, delays and overcrowding.
He said: “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.”
Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said the company remained proud of the changes made during its six years operating the services:
“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.
“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.”
The announcement follows changes to Avanti West Coast’s services earlier this year.
In May, the company said one in seven rail services would be cut on its busiest routes following a Government request to reduce spending.
Avanti said the reduction would cause minimum disruption to passengers and would not reduce revenues.
Avanti West Coast is a joint venture between FirstGroup, which owns a 70% stake, and Italian state operator Trenitalia, which owns the remaining 30%.
The operator’s finances have been heavily influenced by the Department for Transport (DfT) since contracts were introduced in March 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Government is transferring all train services operating under DfT contracts into public ownership as part of its wider rail reforms.
Great Western Railway, which is also owned by FirstGroup, is due to be brought into public ownership in December 2026.
Several other rail services are already publicly owned.
Great Anglia and South Western Railway are among the operators that have been transferred, while Welsh services were nationalised in 2021 and Scotland’s rail services followed in 2022.
