Avanti West Coast to be renationalised in March as ministers float public ownership of new trains
News Source
β’Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:22:29 GMT
π° What Happened
Britain's biggest intercity rail operator, Avanti West Coast, will be renationalised in spring. The government announced the move on Monday. The service runs between London, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Avanti's contract ends on 7 March, when it returns to public ownership. Andy Burnham said enough is enough for passengers. Ministers also said new trains could be publicly owned.
π The Backstory
Avanti has one of the worst records for delays and cancellations in Britain. Its cancellation rate was 7.1 per cent from April to June this year. The Labour government has been taking rail services back into public hands as contracts expire.
A new public body, Great British Railways, is due to take full oversight in 2027. Operators now lease trains from private firms at a cost of billions of pounds a year. The transport secretary wants to cut those costs.
π― Why It Matters
Rail affects millions of commuters and travellers. Public ownership could change fares, reliability and how services are run.
Britain's biggest intercity rail operator, Avanti West Coast, will be renationalised in spring. The government announced the move on Monday. The service runs between London, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Avanti's contract ends on 7 March, when it returns to public ownership. Andy Burnham said enough is enough for passengers. Ministers also said new trains could be publicly owned.
Avanti has one of the worst records for delays and cancellations in Britain. Its cancellation rate was 7.1 per cent from April to June this year. The Labour government has been taking rail services back into public hands as contracts expire.
A new public body, Great British Railways, is due to take full oversight in 2027. Operators now lease trains from private firms at a cost of billions of pounds a year. The transport secretary wants to cut those costs.
Rail affects millions of commuters and travellers. Public ownership could change fares, reliability and how services are run.