Avanti West Coast has had its contract extended for nine years.
The National Rail Contract for the West Coast Partnership has been agreed with the Department for Transport.
The contract will start on October 15 and last until 2032, subject to ongoing Department for Transport approval. It begins with a core three-year term to October 18 2026.
Avanti West Coast managing director Andy Mellors said: “The National Rail Contract for the West Coast Partnership provides stability for customers and colleagues as we continue to rebuild trust as well as confidence.
“Over the last six months, we have delivered significant and sustained improvements in operational performance and customer satisfaction. Cancellations that Avanti West Coast is responsible for have stabilised at below two per cent of scheduled services. The last year has been challenging but I would like to thank our customers as well as stakeholders for their patience.
“There are still challenges ahead but plenty to look forward to on our network including customer benefits such as the continued award-winning refurbishment of our Pendolinos and the introduction of our new Hitachi fleet, which will increase capacity and further improve our sustainability credentials.”
But Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has criticised the deal.
The Liberal Democrat, who represents Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: “The Government have today rewarded failure.
“They talk of ‘significant improvements’ and yet my experience – and the experience of many of my constituents – using Avanti trains these past few weeks has been cancellations, delays and packed trains with too few carriages.
“A reliable West Coast Main Line is vital to our visitor economy here in the Lake District but that has simply not existed since Avanti took over from Virgin almost three years ago now.
“The Government have shown they are on the side of a big failing rail company, rather than long-suffering passengers.”
