News
Avanti has FINALLY restored its Manchester to London timetable – and the service is still a ‘shambles’
Daisy Jackson
The loathed Avanti West Coast service has finally restored its timetable of trains between Manchester and London, four months after it temporarily slashed services and suspended ticket sales.
The troubled train line said that it was suffering with ‘severe staff shortages’ after many of its drivers refused to work overtime – something it had previously relied on to keep services running smoothly.
Trains between London and Manchester were slashed from three an hour to just one an hour in August, and Avanti only returned our city’s main line to its previous frequency this week.
All good news, right? Not that much.
Passengers this week have been facing frequent cancellations and delays, sometimes mere minutes before scheduled departure times.
Many will have expected disruption with the extremely cold weather and the ongoing strike action this week, but Avanti has been telling disgruntled passengers that the issue is staff shortages – again.
Those trying to travel to and from the capital have reported fellow passengers having to sit on the floor, multiple services in a row being cancelled, and huge delays to trains.
Credit: Avanti West Coast
The unreliable service has been a sticking point for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who has been publicly demanding that Avanti has its contract stripped. He has said it’s ‘unbelievable how they treat people paying sky-high prices’.
And it appears the Government is keeping a close eye on the company now.
At Prime Minster’s Questions on Wednesday, Rishi Sunak said: “Our priority immediately is to support the restoration of services before then making any long-term decisions on the operation of the West Coast franchise, but we will be closely monitoring Avanti’s rollout of its recovery plan and holding them to account for delivering for passengers.”
A spokesperson for Avanti told the Commons’ Transport Committee that they accept the company has ‘damaged trust in the traveling public’.
Richard Scott, director of corporate affairs at the West Coast Partnership (of which Avanti West Coast is part of) said: “The service we have provided over recent months has not been good enough.
Read more: ‘Fights break out’ over triple-booked seats on troubled Avanti West Coast trains
“We apologise, I apologise unreservedly for that. We have been working extremely hard over the last few months to get a new timetable in place.
“I fully accept we have damaged trust in the traveling public over coming months and it will take time to get back. But the timetable, new rosters, new diagrams that are in place I believe will allow us to do that.”
Since Avanti’s new timetable was introduced on 12 December,
Stockport Labor member Navendu Mishra said, with no small trace of irony: “I spoke in the West Coast Main Line debate today and called on the Government to strip @AvantiWestCoast of the franchise.
“Now at Euston station to travel home to Stockport. Of course the next 7 Avanti services from Euston to Stockport are either delayed or entirely cancelled.”
I spoke in the West Coast Main Line debate today and called on the Government to strip @AvantiWestCoast of the franchise.
Now at Euston station to travel home to Stockport. Of course the next 7 Avanti services from Euston to Stockport are either delayed or entirely cancelled.🤯
— Navendu Mishra (@NavPMishra) December 15, 2022
On the very first day of the new timetable, several people found themselves facing departures boards full of delays and cancellations.
One person said: “First weekday operation of the new rail timetable. As ever a complete disaster trying to travel on @AvantiWestCoast between London and Manchester… when will it be a pleasure and not a trauma to make this journey again?”
Several other people have publicly slammed their journeys with Avanti this week, with one person saying it’s time to ‘consign this wretched franchise to the dustbin of history’.
Serious question.
What the FUCK is happening with the railways in this country.
I don’t mean strikes. Because the issues I’m experiencing/ seeing/ reading are daily for months.
Canceled trains MINUTES before arrival horrendous disruption.@nationalrailenq @AvantiWestCoast
— Ryan (@Ryanmclfc7) December 15, 2022
When’s your contract up @AvantiWestCoast literally a shocker of a service today 3 trains cancelled. Passengers sitting on the floor. Its time you give up your monopoly on the railway. @Mark_J_Harper
— Thomas Drinkwater (@drinkaroo) December 15, 2022
The @AvantiWestCoast shambles continues….train delayed waiting for crew, ah sod it we can’t bothered so let’s just cancel it…. Come on @AndyBurnhamGM – the time has come to consign this wretched franchise to the dustbin of history… cc @helenpidd 😎
— Stuart Pyke (@stuartpykesport) December 12, 2022
Earlier this month, back when Avanti was running its reduced timetable, passengers said they were left ‘stranded’ when the last two trains to Manchester were cancelled.
In that instance, Avanti offered an ‘alternative travel option’, which was to get the train to Birmingham and then sit on a coach to Manchester – 88 miles away.
We haven’t left people stranded Aaron, we have provided an alternative travel option for you. The last two are canceled due to staff shortages. – Pete
— Avanti West Coast (@AvantiWestCoast) December 5, 2022
Avanti’s um, stellar customer service, when they cancel the last two trains out of LDN and the only alternative is a train and then a bus going another SEVENTY MILES, which will *at least* double the journey time and get everyone home in the middle of the night. Come on mannn https://t.co/LTMk5J1V4N
— Terri White (@Terri_White) December 5, 2022
Other people reported having to stand in the toilets because there was no room on board packed services after multiple services were cancelled.
Absolute scenes at Euston – sold out train cancelled, all crammed on another sold out train. I am literally standing in the toilet. Open first class for gods sake, @AvantiWestCoast are the worst of the worst. Shut the fuckers down! pic.twitter.com/hqeVVzmS3w
— Al Lockhart-Morley (@quartlifecrisis) December 7, 2022
#AvantiWestCoast trains are a f’kn shambles. Loads of us stranded all day trying to get from Mcr Piccadilly to Euston & now from Euston to Piccadilly. Major delays, canceled trains, rammed phone lines, extra money paid for taxis & buses & we pay full whack for this shit service pic.twitter.com/yZA0Pt7AMb
— Hafsah Aneela Bashir (@Hafsah_A_Bashir) December 7, 2022
When announcing the new timetableBarry Milsom, Executive Director of Operations and Safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “We know in recent months our customers have not been getting the service they deserve.
“We are sorry for the enormous amount of frustration and inconvenience this has caused and are grateful for the patience our passengers have shown.
“Over the last few months, our sole focus has been to do everything we can to return to a more resilient operation which delivers more services for our customers and communities.
“This timetable is based on a robust and sustainable roster for our staff, achieved by working with our people and the unions. It provides a better working pattern for staff and our customers will benefit from more trains, greater connectivity and tickets on sale much earlier. Crucially, the new timetable is not dependent on overtime.”
Featured image: Avanti West Coast
