West Coast rail cutback

UK train operator Avanti West Coast is reducing its schedule for four weeks due to industrial action, as well as temporarily suspending ticket sales while it prepares a special timetable.

Avanti, which operates services from London’s Euston station to Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, said it would cut back its timetable between 14 August and 11 September.

The UK is facing another two days of national rail strikes by the RMT union on 18 and 20 August. Avanti said it was also being affected by “unofficial strike action” by drivers who are members of the Aslef union.

Avanti explained its move was “due to the current industrial relations climate which has resulted in severe staff shortages in some grades through increased sickness levels”.

“The reduced timetable is being introduced to ensure a reliable service is delivered so our customers can travel with greater certainty”, added the company in a statement.

“This decision was not taken lightly, and we are sorry for the enormous frustration and inconvenience this will cause”.

Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, said Avanti’s reduced timetable would “create significant hurt” for business travellers.

“It will drive people into cars and onto planes as they seek alternative arrangements, setting back our country’s net zero ambitions at a critical juncture”, said Wratten.

“We urge the unions to work with the rail companies to keep the disruptions to a minimum to get this country moving again”.

www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk

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