DfT approves Avanti West Coast summer service cuts to curb rail spending
Avanti West Coast will remove 38 weekday services from its busiest intercity routes this summer, a move the Department for Transport says will save taxpayer money while maintaining core demand.
The Department for Transport has approved a reduction in Avanti West Coast’s summer timetable, allowing the operator to cut approximately one in seven trains on its busiest intercity routes. The changes, which involve removing 38 weekday services, will take effect from 20 July to 28 August 2026. The operator confirmed the reductions were made at the government’s behest to lower spending, asserting that passenger demand will still be met as the cuts target less busy periods with alternative services available.
The affected services operate between London Euston, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. Avanti West Coast normally runs 248 daily services on these routes. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander’s department stated that the secretary of state had accepted the short-term proposals, noting that passenger numbers are considerably lower during the summer and many trains run with large numbers of empty seats. The government emphasised that the move aims to save taxpayer money while annual net rail funding remains at approximately £12bn, a figure that has persisted since the pandemic.
Avanti West Coast clarified that the reductions are not due to a lack of resources but are part of a tight contract with the Department for Transport. The operator described the changes as “demand-led timetabling,” stating that the cuts would only affect routes where more than one train per hour operates, thereby minimising disruption. An Avanti West Coast spokesperson encouraged customers to plan ahead and thanked them for their understanding, noting that the changes should not reduce revenue.
Among the affected services, the 7.00am Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston fast service will remain operational. This specific service had been threatened with removal but was reinstated in December following public outcry. The operator noted that the threatened service was not part of the current reduction plan, ensuring that key morning connections remain intact for commuters.
The timing of these cuts coincides with the operator’s impending transition to public ownership. Avanti West Coast is expected to be nationalised early in 2027 under Great British Railways. The operator has a chequered history with state funding, having been described in leaked 2024 internal management slides as receiving “free money.” Despite having the worst punctuality record in national rail according to the Office of Rail and Road, customer satisfaction surveys suggest an improvement, and the operator has significantly increased services since its pandemic-era timetable slashes.