Avanti West Coast Reduces Train Service Amid Crew Shortage and Industrial Conflicts

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Avanti West Coast, the leading train operating service, will be reducing its weekly operations by almost 20 train rides. This regular dispatcher of trains between London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly plans to sustain these service cuts until the year’s end.

Originally, the plans intended a two-fifths reduction of its train services running the popular route, slated to effectuate from December 9th. The revised train schedule, however, has been preponed with immediate effect, as confirmed by inside sources.


This decision first caught the public eye through a report in the Sunday Times. Avanti cited a dearth of train crew members and ongoing industrial conflicts as reasons for the service cutback.

Avanti West Coast, owned in partnership by First Group and Trenitalia, typically dispatches approximately 50 services—primarily three an hour during peak hours—between London and Manchester on weekdays. The count is about the same on Saturdays. However, starting the following week, the Saturday services are being minimized to a total of 30 train rides.

Despite the reduced services, the company maintains its commitment to mitigating disruption. Should train operators surpass a certain cancellation threshold, they run the risk of accruing fines, which could even result in contract termination. However, temporary service reductions, known as “short-term planning arrangements,” are not officially recorded if sanctioned by the ministers.

While Avanti hasn’t confirmed if it’s seeking such an arrangement, the Department for Transport assured that the planned timetable reductions till January 1, 2024, comply with Avanti’s contract stipulations.

A spokesperson said, “Despite steady progress from last year, further improvements are expected from Avanti, and we are continually holding them to account for matters within their authority.”

“Avanti’s train crew shortages highlight the need for comprehensive modernization across the wider railway, which finds resistance from unions. Implementing temporary timetable changes was essential to minimize unexpected cancellations prompted by train crew shortages and to enable engineering works that ensure and enhance the network’s resilience.”

Avanti West Coast issued an apology, “We understand the inconvenience caused by unforeseen cancellations on our network and are prioritizing strategies to minimize said cancellations.”

However, Aslef, the union representing train drivers, audibly criticized the changes. Its General Secretary, Mick Whelan, accused Avanti West Coast of under-delivering in services they had promised, and failing to hire enough drivers, thereby letting down both passengers and taxpayers. He emphasized that Avanti West Coast should treat its staff, passengers, and taxpayers better.