Avanti West Coast services, which operate through Penrith North Lakes, are set to come under public ownership from March next year as the Government moves to bring the operator under state control.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has announced that Avanti West Coast will transfer into public ownership on 7 March 2027, with the Government exercising a termination right in the company's existing contract.
Avanti is currently operated by First Trenitalia West Coast Rail, which was awarded the contract in October 2023 to operate services on the West Coast Main Line. The contract had been due to run until 2032 at the latest.
The Government says the transfer will see the West Coast services run by the public sector as part of the wider move towards Great British Railways.
The Government says the change will be accompanied by a programme of investment aimed at improving reliability and passenger services. This includes £10 million for power and signalling maintenance, changes to timetables intended to make services faster and more reliable, improvements to facilities at London Euston and measures to improve internet connectivity on trains.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said passengers had been “failed” by Avanti's service “time and time again”.
Mr Burnham said: “Enough is enough.”
“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.
“So my Labour government is bringing Avanti West Coast into public ownership at the earliest opportunity in March next year.
“That means passengers, not shareholders, will come first.
“More investment, fewer delays, and a renewed focus on getting the basics right.
“We're putting essential services back in public hands and building a railway that actually works for the people who use it.”
The Government says that bringing Avanti into public ownership will mean passengers will benefit from investment rather than fees being paid to a private operator. It is part of the wider programme to transfer passenger rail operators into public ownership ahead of the creation of Great British Railways.
The announcement will be particularly relevant to passengers using Penrith North Lakes, which is served by Avanti West Coast on the West Coast Main Line.
Avanti West Coast Managing Director Andy Mellors said the company was proud of what it had achieved over the past six years, highlighting the refurbishment of its Pendolino fleet, the introduction of Evero trains and increased services.
“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,” he said.
The transfer is currently scheduled to take place on 7 March 2027.
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