Key facts
- Avanti West Coast will be renationalised in March.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated the decision was due to a service that has failed passengers.
- The rail operator has one of the highest rates of train cancellations in Britain.
- Avanti's contract ends in March, at which point it will come under public ownership.
- The Labour government is returning passenger rail services to public ownership as contracts expire.
- Great British Railways is preparing to take full oversight in 2027.
Avanti West Coast will be brought under public ownership in March, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham citing years of passenger dissatisfaction with delays, cancellations, and overcrowding. The decision marks a significant step in the Labour government's strategy to renationalise passenger rail services as existing contracts expire, ahead of Great British Railways taking full oversight in 2027.
Avanti West Coast has been identified as one of the country's worst-performing rail operators, with a cancellation rate of 7.1% between April and June. Burnham stated that the move prioritises passengers over shareholders, promising more investment, fewer delays, and a focus on essential services. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is set to formally announce the decision, emphasizing the government's commitment to public services and delivering growth.
Despite the upcoming renationalisation, Avanti's managing director, Andy Mellors, highlighted the company's achievements over the past six years, including fleet refurbishments and increased service offerings, which he stated have provided customers with greater choice and connectivity.