Recent events
Recent events tied to this brand in public sources.
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2026
ORR refuses WSMR, Lumo and Avanti West Coast bids for new West Coast Main Line services
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) rejected applications for new train services on the West Coast Main Line: Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway's bid for five daily Wrexham to London Euston return services, Lumo's proposal for up to four return services between Rochdale and Euston on weekdays and Saturdays and three on Sundays, and Avanti West Coast's plans for additional services between Blackpool and Euston. The regulator concluded that adding services into timetable recovery windows would likely increase delays and cancelled trains for passengers. The decision followed similar rejections in 2025, and WSMR said it was disappointed.
2026
UK government announces Avanti West Coast services to be nationalised from March 2027
The UK government announced that Avanti West Coast train services will be nationalised from March next year (2027), with the operator's contract due to come to an end on 7 March. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said that for years Avanti had been underperforming, with passengers left paying the price, while the Prime Minister criticised cancellations, delays and overcrowding. Avanti West Coast, a joint venture between FirstGroup (70%) and Trenitalia (30%), said it would work closely with the government to ensure a seamless transition into public ownership.
2021
Avanti West Coast launches smartcard ticketing
Avanti West Coast launched a smartcard alternative to paper tickets, allowing passengers to store tickets on a smartcard.