Avanti West Coast to enter public ownership in March

The UK government will bring Avanti West Coast into public ownership in March next year, following the expiration of its current operating contract on March 7. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced the move, stating that the decision aims to prioritize passengers over shareholders and address long-standing issues with service performance.

Officials indicated that the nationalization will coincide with infrastructure upgrades intended to reduce delays and improve the passenger experience. The government's plan includes a comprehensive improvement strategy to ensure essential services are returned to public hands to support economic growth and connectivity.

Avanti West Coast, currently a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, manages intercity services on the West Coast Main Line, connecting major cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow. Managing Director Andy Mellors noted that the company will work closely with the government to ensure a seamless transition while continuing to operate its fleet, which includes the refurbished Pendolino and the new Hitachi-built Evero trains.