Avanti West Coast faces nationalisation under Labour's new transport laws

• Avanti West Coast is the first rail firm facing potential nationalisation under Labour's new transport laws.
• The Department for Transport is exploring options for Avanti due to concerns over its performance.
• Transport Secretary Louise Haigh warned Avanti's managing director about unacceptable service levels.
• New legislation will allow rail services to be brought under public ownership when existing contracts expire or are breached.
• The previous government renewed Avanti's contract until 2029 despite passenger complaints.
• Avanti was cancelling around 26 trains daily, causing passenger disruption.

Avanti West Coast is the first rail operator identified as being at risk of nationalisation under Labour's proposed transport laws, following widespread passenger complaints about its service. The Department for Transport is reportedly exploring options for the company due to significant concerns over its performance on the West Coast Main Line.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh summoned Avanti's managing director, Andy Mellors, on Tuesday to express the government's dissatisfaction with the "unacceptable levels of service" and warned that the government "won’t tolerate" the disruption. Ministers are set to introduce legislation, the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, which will allow for rail services to be brought back under government control when existing contracts expire or if an operator fails to meet its commitments, without the need for compensation.

Despite passenger anger and ongoing cancellations, the previous Conservative administration awarded Avanti a new long-term contract in 2023, which is not due to expire until 2029. The train operator has been cancelling approximately 26 trains per day, leading to passenger stranding and overcrowded services. Transport leaders in the North of England have called for Avanti to be stripped of its franchise, a sentiment echoed by campaign group WeOwnIt. Rail Partners, representing rail operators, criticised the nationalisation plans, calling it a "political not a practical solution" that would increase costs.