Transport Secretary to nationalise Avanti West Coast services at first opportunity

Britain’s busiest train line will soon be re-nationalised, as the government steps in to take control of Avanti West Coast’s (AWC) services at the first opportunity after the expiry of its contract.

By bringing AWC’s services into public ownership in March 2027, West Coast services will soon be run in the interests of passengers, not private sector shareholders. The move supports the government’s drive to put essential services back in public hands, connecting people to opportunity and delivering growth in every postcode.

Avanti West Coast passengers have been experiencing frequent disruption on one of the country’s busiest routes for years. Performance remains behind the industry average, with passengers frequently frustrated by delays and cancellations. Infrastructure issues along the West Coast Main Line (WCML) resulting from long-term underinvestment are the biggest cause of disruption for passengers.

From 7 March 2027, taxpayers will no longer be paying fees to a private operator. Instead, every penny will be spent for the benefit of passengers. Nationalisation will be supported by a dedicated improvement plan to fix the basics, delivering much-needed infrastructure improvements to cut delays and improve passenger experience.