Avanti West Coast is one of the UK’s leading train operators, and has been serving passengers for several years. We took over the West Coast Main Line franchise in December 2019, and have been running Avanti trains ever since.
Our network connects people and places across the UK, with routes covering major destinations such as London, Blackpool, Glasgow, and Birmingham.
The names behind Avanti West Coast
While the Avanti West Coast name may be relatively new, our roots stretch back much further. Avanti West Coast is a partnership between two transport companies:
- FirstGroup is a Scottish company that operates over 5,000 buses in the UK. Holding a 70% stake in Avanti West Coast, FirstGroup also owns Greyhound Lines, Hull Trains, South Western Railway and 70% of Great Western Railways. Additionally, it operates London Tramlink and the city’s cable car services.
- Trenitalia is Italy’s primary train operator and was founded in 2000. It owns the remaining 30% of Avanti West Coast and provides international services connecting Italy to destinations such as France, Germany, and Austria.
The evolution of Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast Trains has a rich history, shaped by its connections to renowned European operators and partnerships with key industry players. However, to fully understand our journey, we need to go back where it all began.
The Virgin Trains era (1997 – 2019)
Virgin Trains took over the InterCity West Coast franchise in 1997.
One of their first most significant projects was the introduction of the Pendolino fleet in 2002, replacing an aging set of trains. The state-of-the-art tilting trains improved journey times and offered passengers a smoother, more comfortable ride.
By 2003, Virgin Trains' Pendolinos were in full operation, quickly becoming an important name in UK rail travel.
In 2012, the government launched a new bidding process for the West Coast franchise. FirstGroup, Avanti’s current partner company, emerged as a strong competitor. However, after some setbacks in the bidding process, Virgin Trains retained the franchise.
This raised the question - who would eventually take over?
The birth of Avanti West Coast (2019 – present)
In 2019, Avanti West Coast took over from Virgin Trains, this marked a new chapter in UK rail travel.
However, this transition came at a challenging time. In 2016, The Department for Transport (DfT) replaced the Intercity West Coast with the West Coast Partnership. This included services on the West Coast Main Line and future routes linked to the HS2 project.
When Avanti was awarded the contract, the UK was facing significant difficulties such as rising costs, frequent service disruptions and declining public satisfaction. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic further impacted operations, causing a steep drop in passenger numbers.
Several operators, such as East Coast and Northern lost their franchises during this period. Avanti West Coast, however, adapted by working closely with DfT to implement a recovery plan, focusing on:
- Enhanced driver training
- Reduce reliance on rest-day working
- Earlier ticket sales,
These efforts paid off and by 2023, service cancellations dropped significantly, and over 90% of Avanti’s trains arrived within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, a dramatic improvement from the previous six months.
A long-term vision for the West Coast Mainline
DfT awarded Avanti West Coast a long-term contract in September 2023. Initially granted for three years, the contract includes an option to extend for up to nine years, allowing us to focus on long-term plans for improvements in service, infrastructure, and passenger service.
Our goal is to build a more comfortable and reliable railway service for all our customers.
Exploring Avanti’s fleet
Avanti West Coast runs two types of trains: the Italian-born Pendolino and the Hitachi-made Evero.
Class 390 Pendolino
The Class 390 Pendolino has been a favourite on the West Coast Main Line since 2002. First introduced by Virgin Trains, passengers get the most out of their journey from these fast, comfortable, and well-equipped trains.
With a top speed of 125 mph (200 km/h), these tilting trains are among the fastest in the UK.
Class 805 and 807 Evero
In June 2024, our Class 805 bi-mode Everos entered service, operating on both diesel and electric power. Later, in October 2024, the electric-only Class 807 Evero was introduced, reducing carbon emissions.
The Everos are the future of the West Coast Main Line. When you travel on one of these trains, you’ll experience ergonomic seating and extra legroom, as well as extra luggage space.
You'll also find new features onboard, like wireless charging points, personal lights you can dim for added comfort, and live journey updates. Evero’s toilets are also highly accessible with carer-friendly entry.
Class 221 Super Voyager
Super Voyagers, known for their tilting technology, were gradually phased out from 2022 to 2024 as part of our commitment to a greener railway.
How Avanti has served the British railway
Beyond transportation, Avanti West Coast supports local communities through various initiatives.
Customer & Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF)
We offer grants of up to £10,000 to support projects within 10 miles of Avanti train stations.
Our CCIF scheme has helped make the countryside accessible with an Outdoor Mobility scheme, which provides mobility vehicles to allow people to explore the countryside.
We've also partnered with Liverpool and Sefton Mencap to deliver confidence training to service users in Merseyside. Members can utilise this service to discuss concerns or positives they have about rail travel.
Rail to Refuge program
We’re also proud to be part of the Rail to Refuge scheme, a nationwide partnership between Women’s Aid and train operators.
Survivors of domestic abuse can get free travel on an Avanti West Coast Main Line train, helping them to reach a safe space. Since its launch the scheme has provided free rail tickets to 836 people, including 210 children.
There is a Women’s Aid Live Chat service for anyone who would like advice.
Celebrating local culture
At Crewe station we’ve teamed up with the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership and poet Gareth Williams to create a stunning 12-metre-long mural for the station celebrating Crewe's railway heritage. The mural features some of the town’s most famous landmarks, as well as Gareth’s excellent poem "Tracks are our Veins."
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