Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast is a British intercity train operating brand serving the West Coast Main Line and associated routes.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Avanti West Coast is the trading brand of First Trenitalia West Coast Rail, the train operating company that runs the West Coast Partnership passenger services in Great Britain. It is owned by FirstGroup, with a 70% stake, and Trenitalia, with a 30% stake. The brand began operating on 8 December 2019, replacing Virgin Trains on the principal intercity services over the West Coast Main Line. The business connects London with major destinations across the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland. Its network includes services linking London Euston with Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Blackpool, Chester, Wrexham and other destinations, although service patterns vary by timetable and operating period. The routes serve several of the United Kingdom's largest metropolitan areas and form one of the country's most important long-distance rail corridors. Avanti was selected as part of the First Trenitalia consortium after the UK Department for Transport created the West Coast Partnership procurement in 2016. The partnership was intended not only to operate existing West Coast services but also to prepare for the planned introduction of high-speed services associated with High Speed 2. The franchise award followed a competitive process involving bids from FirstGroup and Trenitalia, MTR-led partners, and a Stagecoach-led consortium. The Stagecoach bid was disqualified in 2019 after disagreement over proposed commercial terms, particularly employee pension arrangements; Stagecoach's subsequent legal challenge was rejected by the High Court in 2020. At launch, Avanti inherited the principal rolling stock used by Virgin Trains: Class 390 Pendolino electric multiple units and Class 221 Super Voyager diesel-electric multiple units. The Pendolino fleet received a substantial refurbishment between 2021 and 2024. In 2024, the Super Voyagers were replaced by Hitachi-built Class 805 bi-mode and Class 807 electric multiple units. The Class 805 trains allow services to operate beyond electrified infrastructure in North Wales and related corridors, while the Class 807 fleet is used on selected electrified routes. Unlike the Pendolinos and Super Voyagers, the new Hitachi units do not use tilting technology. The brand's early years were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which sharply reduced passenger demand and contributed to staffing pressures. Avanti subsequently became a prominent focus of criticism during the United Kingdom's 2022–2024 railway labour disputes. Industrial action, disputes over pay and working practices, and timetable reductions produced widespread cancellations and public dissatisfaction. In 2022, the company was reported by the Office of Rail and Road to have the highest cancellation rate among Great Britain's train operators for the preceding year. The managing director resigned during the 2022 timetable controversy, and the government warned that further contract extensions would depend on substantial improvement. The Department for Transport nevertheless extended the operating contract several times, citing improved performance from 2023 onward. In September 2023, it granted a further core term running to October 2026, with provisions allowing a longer maximum term. In December 2024, the UK Government announced that Avanti's routes would eventually transfer to Great British Railways as part of the planned abolition of passenger rail franchising. The transfer is expected by October 2027, making Avanti one of the final privately operated passenger rail businesses scheduled for transition to public ownership. Until that change occurs, Avanti West Coast remains an active intercity rail brand.
History
Avanti West Coast was created as the operating brand for the West Coast Partnership, a railway contract designed by the UK Department for Transport to combine operation of existing West Coast intercity services with preparation for future High Speed 2 operations. The department announced the partnership concept in 2016, replacing the earlier InterCity West Coast franchise held by Virgin Trains since 1997. Because the proposed partnership involved high-speed operations, bidders were expected to possess relevant high-speed railway experience or work with a specialist operator. Three principal consortia were shortlisted in 2017. One consisted of FirstGroup and Trenitalia, another was led by MTR Corporation with Guangshen Railway Company, and a third was formed by Stagecoach, SNCF and Virgin Group. Renfe later joined the MTR-led bid. The Stagecoach-led proposal was disqualified in April 2019 after it sought changes to commercial arrangements, especially concerning staff pensions. Stagecoach challenged that decision, but the High Court ruled in June 2020 that the government's action had been lawful. In August 2019, the Department for Transport selected the First Trenitalia consortium. The operating company, First Trenitalia West Coast Rail, adopted the Avanti West Coast name and began passenger operations on 8 December 2019. It inherited the principal Virgin Trains West Coast routes and rolling stock, including 56 Class 390 Pendolinos and 20 Class 221 Super Voyagers. The new brand introduced an orange triangular symbol representing the three broad geographic points of its West Coast Main Line network. Virgin-branded tickets continued to be accepted for a transitional period after the changeover. The company's initial plans included additional weekly services, better Wi-Fi, and the retirement of diesel Voyager trains. The COVID-19 pandemic soon changed the operating environment. Passenger numbers fell sharply, and staffing difficulties affected the ability to run the planned timetable. The government first used an Emergency Measures Agreement and then an Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement to support and regulate the operator during the pandemic period. The latter arrangement extended the contract well beyond the originally expected term. From 2021 to 2024, Avanti undertook a major refurbishment of its Pendolino fleet. The company also introduced smartcard ticketing in 2021. The most significant fleet change came in 2024, when Class 221 Super Voyagers were withdrawn and replaced by 13 Class 805 bi-mode units and 10 Class 807 electric units from Hitachi's A-train family. The Class 805s support services on routes where parts of the infrastructure are not electrified, including North Wales, while the Class 807s operate on selected electrified corridors. The new trains have the same broad top-speed capability as the older fleet but do not tilt around curves. Avanti's most difficult public period came during the national railway disputes of 2022–2024. Staff voted for industrial action amid disagreements about pay, staffing and working conditions. The operator warned passengers to avoid non-essential travel on strike dates because only a minimal service could be operated. During August and September 2022, it reduced its timetable, attributing the decision to unofficial strike action; the trade union ASLEF disputed that characterization. The disruption led to criticism from Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and calls for the contract to be withdrawn. Avanti's managing director resigned in September 2022. Office of Rail and Road statistics released that November showed an 8% cancellation rate for Avanti in the relevant period, compared with a 3.8% national average. Despite the criticism, the government continued the contract while demanding better performance. A six-month extension was granted in October 2022, another followed in March 2023, and a further extension announced in September 2023 created a core term running to October 2026, with a possible maximum term extending into the early 2030s. The Department for Transport stated that Avanti-attributable cancellations had remained below 3% since March 2023. In December 2024, the government announced that Avanti's services would ultimately transfer to Great British Railways as part of the planned replacement of passenger rail franchising with a publicly controlled railway structure. The transfer is expected by October 2027. Until then, Avanti West Coast continues to operate as a privately owned intercity rail brand under the FirstGroup–Trenitalia partnership.
- 2024
New Hitachi fleet enters service
[1]Class 805 bi-mode and Class 807 electric units replaced the Super Voyager fleet.
- 2024
Nationalisation plan announced
[1]The government announced that Avanti's routes would transfer to Great British Railways by October 2027.
- 2022
Industrial disruption and timetable reduction
[1]National strikes and staffing disputes resulted in severe disruption and a substantially reduced timetable.
- 2021
Smartcard ticketing introduced
[1]Avanti launched smartcard ticketing as an alternative to conventional paper tickets.
- 2021
Pendolino refurbishment begins
[1]The inherited Class 390 Pendolino fleet entered a major refurbishment programme that continued through 2024.
- 2020
Emergency recovery contract introduced
[1]The pandemic-era Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement extended and reshaped the company's operating arrangements.
- 2019
First Trenitalia awarded the partnership
[1]The Department for Transport selected the FirstGroup–Trenitalia consortium to operate the partnership.
- 2019
Avanti West Coast launches
[1]Avanti began operating West Coast intercity services on 8 December, replacing Virgin Trains.
- 2017
Bidders shortlisted
[1]Three consortia were shortlisted to compete for the West Coast Partnership contract.
- 2016
West Coast Partnership announced
[1]The Department for Transport announced plans for a new partnership combining West Coast intercity operations with preparation for future HS2 services.
Products and positioning
A long-distance British intercity rail operator positioned around fast, frequent connections between London and major cities in the Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland.
Passenger rail · 2019
West Coast Main Line intercity services
Avanti's core offering is long-distance intercity rail on the West Coast Main Line. Services operate from London Euston toward Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and other major destinations, providing a principal rail connection between London and central, northern and Scottish cities.
Passenger rail · 2019
North Wales services
Avanti operates selected long-distance services to destinations in North Wales, including Chester and Wrexham General. These services use bi-mode Class 805 trains, which can operate on both electrified and non-electrified sections of the route.
Rolling stock and passenger service · 2019
Pendolino services
The Class 390 Pendolino fleet was inherited from Virgin Trains and remains a central part of Avanti's intercity operation. The trains are electrically powered and use tilting technology to maintain speed through curves. All 56 inherited units underwent a substantial refurbishment programme between 2021 and 2024.
Rolling stock and passenger service · 2024
Class 805 bi-mode services
Thirteen Class 805 bi-mode multiple units entered Avanti service in 2024, replacing Super Voyagers on routes requiring operation beyond electrified infrastructure. They are particularly associated with services to Chester, Wrexham General and North Wales.
Rolling stock and passenger service · 2024
Class 807 electric services
Ten Class 807 electric multiple units entered service in 2024. They operate on electrified routes including services to Birmingham New Street, Blackpool North and Liverpool Lime Street, alongside the Pendolino fleet.
Ticketing · 2021
Smartcard ticketing
Introduced in 2021, Avanti's smartcard system provides a reusable electronic alternative to paper tickets for eligible journeys. The initiative was presented as a more convenient and potentially lower-waste approach to ticketing.
Brand decisions
2024
Replace Super Voyagers with Hitachi unitsGeneration changeBackground
The inherited Class 221 Super Voyager fleet was due for replacement as part of the operator's fleet modernisation programme.
Action taken
Avanti introduced 13 Class 805 bi-mode and 10 Class 807 electric multiple units and withdrew the Super Voyagers.
Aftermath
The new trains took over services to North Wales and selected English destinations, while the Pendolinos remained in service.
2024
Prepare for transfer to public railway controlStrategyBackground
The UK Government announced the abolition of passenger rail franchising and the future creation of Great British Railways.
Action taken
The government announced that Avanti West Coast routes would transfer to Great British Railways by October 2027.
Aftermath
Avanti is expected to remain active until its operating arrangements are transferred, making it one of the last privately operated passenger rail brands in the transition programme.
2021
Introduce smartcard ticketingOtherBackground
The operator sought to provide a more convenient alternative to traditional paper tickets.
Action taken
Avanti launched smartcard ticketing for eligible journeys.
Aftermath
The smartcard became part of the operator's digital ticketing offer.
2021
Refurbish the Pendolino fleetGeneration changeBackground
Avanti inherited 56 Class 390 Pendolino units and sought to modernise its established intercity fleet.
Action taken
The company began a major refurbishment programme for the Pendolinos, completed during the 2021–2024 period.
Aftermath
Refurbished Pendolinos continued to operate alongside the newer Hitachi units.
2019
Adopt the Avanti West Coast operating brandStrategyBackground
The FirstGroup–Trenitalia consortium needed a new customer-facing identity for the West Coast Partnership after the Virgin Trains operating contract ended.
Action taken
First Trenitalia West Coast Rail launched the Avanti West Coast brand on 8 December 2019 and introduced a new orange triangular visual identity.
Aftermath
Avanti assumed the inherited West Coast intercity network and fleet, while Virgin-branded tickets remained temporarily valid during the transition.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
ORR refuses WSMR, Lumo and Avanti West Coast bids for new West Coast Main Line services[2]
Reported:
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.
UK government announces Avanti West Coast services to be nationalised from March 2027[3]
Reported:
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.
Avanti West Coast launches smartcard ticketing[4]
Reported:
Avanti West Coast launched a smartcard alternative to paper tickets, allowing passengers to store tickets on a smartcard.
Sources5 sources
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