AVANTI West Coast was given more than £6.5 million of taxpayer’s money as a performance bonus according to figures from the department of transport.

The train operator has been under fire after it had its contract to run services across the west coast mainline extended by six months in the Autumn despite widespread frustration over services.

Passengers across Cumbria have seen services often delayed and cancelled at short notice.

Avanti West Coast’s contract had been due to expire on 16 October but has been extended 1 April 2023, giving the firm time to improve its “drastically” improve its performance according to the government.

The firm have been widely criticised by Cumbrian MPs with both Penrith and the Border MP, Dr Neil Hudson and Carlisle MP John Stevenson raising their concerns in the House of Commons.

During Prime Minister’s questions last week, Mr Stevenson opened the weekly session of Prime Ministers Questions by saying “a "three-and-a-half-hour journey takes six hours, a straight journey ends up with two changes and a diversion and a train is cancelled at short notice.

“This has become the experience of a west coast rail passenger.

“If Avanti do not get their act together, will the government strip them of their franchise.”

Rishi Sunak replied by saying he “shared the frustration” but that the government’s priority at the moment was the restoration of services before then making any long-term decisions on the operation of the west coast franchise.

Labour has also criticised Avanti in recent weeks with Labour figures calling for the franchise to be stripped and shadow transport secretary, Louise Haigh said the £6.5 million payment was a “scandalous waste of taxpayers’ money.”

A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: “This performance fee is based on data from before the current period of disruption.

“Avanti need to improve services on their network to ensure passengers can get the reliable, timely service that they deserve.

“We have put Avanti on a short-term, six-month contract, as they roll out vital improvements and service upgrades and continue to monitor the situation closely.”

 

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