Transport for the North (TfN) has today written to the Transport Secretary asking for him to instruct officials to conduct a critical review into Avanti West Coast’s operation given the deteriorating service being endured by passengers. It further calls for all Avanti trains to run with First Class and Standard Premium accommodation declassified until their performance has been restored to an acceptable level.
The latest industry figures reveal that over the last 8 days across all Avanti services punctuality and reliability (PPM) is at 46.3% and trains that were cancelled and/or severely delayed (CaSL) stands at 31.8%.
This is based on an already reduced service offering, after the operator announced a number of cuts to services from 9-31 December.
Mayor Andy Burnham, Chair of the Rail North Committee, said:
“This torrent of cancellations and delays on Avanti services is simply unacceptable. This is one of the most important times of the year for many families and businesses, all of whom are being let down by this deteriorating rail service without an end in sight.
“This cannot be allowed to continue. That is why we have written to the government to ask for them to conduct a critical review of Avanti as a matter of priority. Given the critical importance of this service at this time of year, it is also vital that all seats on Avanti West Coast services are made available for use by declassifying all First-Class accommodation until an acceptable service can be restored.”
