Government accused of ‘rewarding failure’ over new Avanti West Coast contract
2 years ago

Government accused of ‘rewarding failure’ over new Avanti West Coast contract

The Independent  

A Government decision to grant a short-term contract renewal to Avanti West Coast has been condemned by Labour and trade unions. Mr Harper said: “The routes Avanti West Coast run are absolutely vital, and I fully understand the frustrations passengers felt at the completely unacceptable services seen last autumn. “However, there is still more work to be done to bring services up to the standards we expect, which is why, over this next six months, further improvements will need to be made by Avanti West Coast.” Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: “Avanti has literally broken records over the last six months for delays and cancellations, and the Conservatives’ answer is to reward failure with millions more in taxpayer cash. “It is quite clear that the West Coast contract should be brought back into public ownership along with the rest of the railway.” Today’s agreement allows our team to continue their focus on delivering their robust plans to continue enhancing services for our customers Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers’ union Aslef, said: “It is, frankly, extraordinary that the Government is yet again rewarding failure. “Avanti West Coast has continued to cancel services and, every day, continued to let passengers down.” FirstGroup chief executive Graham Sutherland said: “Performance at Avanti is steadily improving and, since the introduction of the new timetable in mid-December, the number of services has increased by more than 40% compared to last summer, with more seats and better frequencies.

Labour West Rail West Coast Dft Avanti Firstgroup Rewarding Failure Coast Services  contract  operator  failure  accused  secretary  coast  services  passengers  avanti  labour  rail  rewarding  west

History of this topic

Major West Coast main line overhaul to shut Europe’s busiest track for weeks at a time
1 month ago

Major West Coast main line overhaul to shut Europe’s busiest track for weeks at a time

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rail passengers on much of the northern part of the West Coast main line face several …

Passengers warned of train strikes and disruption this weekend
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Passengers warned of train strikes and disruption this weekend

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Train travellers face further disruption this weekend as Avanti West Coast managers stage a fresh strike …

Fresh strike by rail workers to disrupt services
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Fresh strike by rail workers to disrupt services

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. To compound the disruption, Network Rail will be carrying …

Avanti West Coast rail passengers face months more Sunday strikes
2 months ago

Avanti West Coast rail passengers face months more Sunday strikes

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The rail firm connects London Euston with the West Midlands, northwest England, North Wales and southern Scotland, Train managers working …

Majority of Avanti West Coast trains cancelled this Sunday – despite strike being called off
2 months, 1 week ago

Majority of Avanti West Coast trains cancelled this Sunday – despite strike being called off

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Even though the RMT union has called off Sunday’s strike on Avanti West Coast, passengers will …

Avanti West Coast strikes called off for the next two Sundays as ‘intensive talks’ begin
2 months, 1 week ago

Avanti West Coast strikes called off for the next two Sundays as ‘intensive talks’ begin

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The biggest rail union has suspended strikes on the West Coast main line for the next …

Millions to face chaos as Britain's busiest railway line set to close
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Millions to face chaos as Britain's busiest railway line set to close

Daily Mail  

Millions of passengers will be facing 10 years of severe disruption as once-in-a-generation upgrades are due to start on one of Britain's most important railways. Workers are expected to begin work next year on replacing the more than 150 miles of wires installed on the west coast main line in the UK. The west coast main line — along with …

When are the next train strikes? Avanti West Coast walkouts to run until summer
2 months, 2 weeks ago

When are the next train strikes? Avanti West Coast walkouts to run until summer

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We remain open to working with the RMT to resolve the dispute.” The train operator believes its offer will make …

RMT weekend strikes to hit Avanti West Coast passengers
2 months, 2 weeks ago

RMT weekend strikes to hit Avanti West Coast passengers

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at …

Rail services face disruption as train managers strike
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Rail services face disruption as train managers strike

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at …

Train strikes: How Avanti action affects journeys today from Euston to Manchester and more
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Train strikes: How Avanti action affects journeys today from Euston to Manchester and more

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Train managers working for the West Coast main line operator and who belong to the RMT union walked out on …

Avanti West Coast executives earn £600 a day acting as train managers, claims union boss
Trending News
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Avanti West Coast executives earn £600 a day acting as train managers, claims union boss

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As around 80,000 Avanti West Coast passengers are hit by the second walk-out in a five-month …

New Year’s Eve travel disrupted as Avanti West Coast train managers strike
2 months, 4 weeks ago

New Year’s Eve travel disrupted as Avanti West Coast train managers strike

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at …

When are the next train strikes? How Avanti West Coast strike action affects passengers
2 months, 4 weeks ago

When are the next train strikes? How Avanti West Coast strike action affects passengers

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. An RMT spokesperson said: “Sustained strike action is now the only way to focus management’s minds on reaching a negotiated …

Passengers warned of disruption as Avanti West Coast train managers strike
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Passengers warned of disruption as Avanti West Coast train managers strike

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. On the two strike days we’ll have a significantly …

Is my train running today? Passengers face rail disruption as UK’s two busiest stations closed
3 months ago

Is my train running today? Passengers face rail disruption as UK’s two busiest stations closed

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. On the West Coast main line, which connects London Euston with the West Midlands, northwest England, North Wales and southern …

Is my train running today? Passengers face rail disruption as UK’s two busiest stations closed
3 months ago

Is my train running today? Passengers face rail disruption as UK’s two busiest stations closed

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. London Euston is once again taking some of the strain, with passengers advised to travel to Milton Keynes Central by …

When are the next train strikes? How Avanti West Coast action will affect passengers
3 months, 1 week ago

When are the next train strikes? How Avanti West Coast action will affect passengers

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Train managers working for the West Coast main line operator will walk out on New Year’s Eve, Thursday 2 January …

Badenoch blames months of new train strikes on Labour’s pay rises for unions and says commuters will suffer
3 months, 1 week ago

Badenoch blames months of new train strikes on Labour’s pay rises for unions and says commuters will suffer

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Kemi Badenoch has claimed train commuters will “suffer” for Labour’s inflation-busting …

Avanti West Coast workers to strike over New Year after latest deal rejected
3 months, 1 week ago

Avanti West Coast workers to strike over New Year after latest deal rejected

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Avanti West Coast workers are to stage a five-month-long series of strikes beginning on New Year’s …

Avanti Christmas train strikes called off, says RMT
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Avanti Christmas train strikes called off, says RMT

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A strike that would have wrecked the Christmas getaway for many Avanti West Coast passengers has …

Christmas rail misery returns for Avanti West Coast passengers as RMT calls strike
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Christmas rail misery returns for Avanti West Coast passengers as RMT calls strike

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Train managers belonging to the RMT union and working for Avanti West Coast will walk out on some of the …

Christmas travel strikes: What trains and airports are affected by industrial action this winter?
Trending News
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Christmas travel strikes: What trains and airports are affected by industrial action this winter?

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “Our members have had enough, and this strike action demonstrates their determination to …

Minister summons Avanti West Coast bosses to meeting over ‘woeful’ rail service
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Minister summons Avanti West Coast bosses to meeting over ‘woeful’ rail service

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

New trains boost capacity on one of the UK’s busiest rail routes
9 months, 3 weeks ago

New trains boost capacity on one of the UK’s busiest rail routes

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Avanti West Coast said it has launched an initial six Hitachi-built Evero trains on the West Coast Main Line. Avanti …

May rail misery: Eight days of disruption facing passengers as strikes and engineering work combine
10 months, 3 weeks ago

May rail misery: Eight days of disruption facing passengers as strikes and engineering work combine

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The main London-Birmingham line will be severed between Rugby and Birmingham International due to track renewal work – disrupting Avanti …

Train operator extends discounted ticket scheme
10 months, 4 weeks ago

Train operator extends discounted ticket scheme

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Avanti West Coast said passengers can now buy tickets between London Euston and Rugby, …

Rail delay payouts hit record high after rise in trains cancelled
1 year, 3 months ago

Rail delay payouts hit record high after rise in trains cancelled

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Payouts to passengers for rail delays hit record highs last month …

Rail cancellations cause Christmas chaos as sickness hits train drivers
1 year, 3 months ago

Rail cancellations cause Christmas chaos as sickness hits train drivers

The Telegraph  

Christmas getaway travel plans have been put into chaos as illness among train drivers has led to cancellations. Avanti West Coast was forced to cancel 26 train services on the key line serving the north west of England, with the majority owing to a shortage of drivers whose shifts could not be covered. It was one of several train operating …

‘Let’s never do this again’: How ‘insane’ 11 hour train journey from hell unfolded
1 year, 6 months ago

‘Let’s never do this again’: How ‘insane’ 11 hour train journey from hell unfolded

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But more confusion unfolded on Mr Nokise’s next leg, when the driver explained there were two stations in Edinburgh, Haymarket …

Labour: Passengers will be ‘appalled’ at new contracts for train operators
1 year, 6 months ago

Labour: Passengers will be ‘appalled’ at new contracts for train operators

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Rather than rewarding failing operators by renewing their contracts, …

New contract for one of Britain’s least reliable train operators
1 year, 6 months ago

New contract for one of Britain’s least reliable train operators

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “The routes Avanti West …

Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry handed new contracts
1 year, 6 months ago

Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry handed new contracts

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Transport Secretary Mark Harper said Avanti West Coast is …

Avanti West Coast handed contract extension
2 years ago

Avanti West Coast handed contract extension

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Train operator Avanti West Coast …

Manchester-London for £20: Avanti West Coast launches cut-price ‘standby’ train tickets
2 years ago

Manchester-London for £20: Avanti West Coast launches cut-price ‘standby’ train tickets

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Manchester to London in just over two hours for only £20: that is the new offer …

Avanti West Coast passengers warned over Saturday cancellations
2 years, 2 months ago

Avanti West Coast passengers warned over Saturday cancellations

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rail passengers using Avanti West Coast services on Saturday face …

Avanti West Coast ordered to give passengers more notice to book tickets
2 years, 2 months ago

Avanti West Coast ordered to give passengers more notice to book tickets

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. By 2 February we expect Avanti to identify what …

Passengers face ‘crisis’ on railways as cancellations hit new high
2 years, 2 months ago

Passengers face ‘crisis’ on railways as cancellations hit new high

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Train reliability across Britain reached the worst level on record …

Spike in complaints by Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express passengers
2 years, 2 months ago

Spike in complaints by Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express passengers

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Complaints about train operators Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express …

Avanti West Coast: ‘It’s barely possible to travel around the North of England by rail,’ MPs told
2 years, 3 months ago

Avanti West Coast: ‘It’s barely possible to travel around the North of England by rail,’ MPs told

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy MPs investigating failures by Avanti West Coast and other train operators have been told: “It’s become …

Rishi Sunak puts Avanti on notice it could yet lose West Coast Mainline route
2 years, 3 months ago

Rishi Sunak puts Avanti on notice it could yet lose West Coast Mainline route

Daily Mail  

Rishi Sunak today put Avanti on notice it could still be stripped of the West Coast rail route as the train operator attempts to revive faltering services. Asked during Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon whether the Government could yet cancel Avanti's franchise, Mr Sunak told MPs he shared the 'frustration' of long-suffering passengers. The Prime Minister warned the Government would …

Staff ‘do not believe Avanti can improve its services this month’ – union
2 years, 3 months ago

Staff ‘do not believe Avanti can improve its services this month’ – union

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union marked the third …

Rail passengers urged to check before travelling as train managers strike
2 years, 4 months ago

Rail passengers urged to check before travelling as train managers strike

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Avanti West Coast is strongly …

More travel misery for rail passengers with fresh strike
2 years, 5 months ago

More travel misery for rail passengers with fresh strike

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rail passengers faced fresh travel …

West Coast rail disruption all over by Christmas, vows Avanti West Coast
2 years, 5 months ago

West Coast rail disruption all over by Christmas, vows Avanti West Coast

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Intercity rail passengers on the West Coast main line should see a return to an almost …

Avanti West Coast given short-term contract renewal by Government
2 years, 5 months ago

Avanti West Coast given short-term contract renewal by Government

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Avanti West Coast has been …

Reversal of Avanti West Coast timetable cuts ‘absolute priority’, says minister
2 years, 6 months ago

Reversal of Avanti West Coast timetable cuts ‘absolute priority’, says minister

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Transport minister Trudy Harrison faced shouts of “when?” from Labour MPs after she made …

Heritage train company launches service in competition with Avanti West Coast
2 years, 7 months ago

Heritage train company launches service in competition with Avanti West Coast

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A heritage train company is …

Britain faces fresh rail chaos tomorrow due to Aslef strikes
2 years, 7 months ago

Britain faces fresh rail chaos tomorrow due to Aslef strikes

Daily Mail  

Britain's 'Summer of discontent' will continue tomorrow with no trains running across large swathes of the country as drivers walk out in a row over pay - despite enjoying a median salary of £59,000. London North Eastern Railway No trains are running north from Edinburgh Waverley, while southbound trains are restricted to one every two hours. No trains are running …

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