Key Takeaways
- The 7am Avanti West Coast train from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston will be axed as part of a timetable shake-up in December
- The exact same train service will continue to run, but it will be empty and crewed, with passengers not allowed to board
- The decision has been made by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to ensure the overall reliability of the railway and to accommodate new open access train services
- The move has been criticized by rail insiders, business leaders, and passengers, who will no longer have access to a fast peak service between Manchester and London
- The fastest trains linking Manchester and London will now take about 2 hours 15 minutes, with passengers having to catch an earlier train to arrive in the capital by 9am
Introduction to the Timetable Shake-Up
The recent announcement by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to axe the 7am Avanti West Coast train from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston has sparked frustration and disappointment among passengers and rail insiders. The train, which has been in operation since 2008, has been a vital link between England’s biggest cities, allowing business travelers to commute between Manchester and London in under two hours. Despite the axing of the train, the same service will continue to run, but it will be empty and crewed, with passengers not allowed to board. This bizarre situation is expected to continue for five months or more until the next timetable change in May.
The Reason Behind the Decision
The ORR has cited the need to ensure the overall reliability of the railway as the reason behind the decision to axe the train. The new timetable, which will come into effect in December, will mainly affect the UK’s other major rail artery, the east coast mainline. However, the industry is wary of any potential disruption after the widespread cancellations and delays sparked by the last comparable overhaul, the May 2018 timetable fiasco. The ORR has also stated that the service was no longer feasible in the new timetable due to the introduction of new open access train services, run by First Group’s Lumo to Stirling in Scotland.
Impact on Passengers and Revenue
The decision to axe the train will have a significant impact on passengers, particularly business travelers who rely on the fast peak service to commute between Manchester and London. The train has been a major marketing asset, allowing operators to advertise trains running between England’s capital and the northern city in less than two hours. The loss of this service will not only inconvenience passengers but also result in a loss of revenue for the operator. The current single fares on the peak-time service are priced at £193, rising to £290 for first class, making it a lucrative service for the operator.
Reaction from Rail Insiders and Business Leaders
The decision has been criticized by rail insiders, business leaders, and passengers. Tony Miles, an industry expert and rail writer, has stated that the situation is "bizarre" and that "the taxpayer will be paying five days a week for empty trains." Henri Murison, the chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, has hit out at the decision, stating that the ORR is "denying business people in Manchester access to London on a vital fast peak service" and sacrificing revenue. The move has also been criticized for undermining the future finances of Great British Railways.
The New Timetable and Alternative Options
The new timetable will see Avanti running more services to the north-west overall, but the fastest trains linking Manchester and London will now take about 2 hours 15 minutes. Passengers wishing to arrive in the capital by 9am will have to catch a 6.29am train. The ORR has stated that Avanti will be running more services to the north-west overall under the new timetable, and other applications from open access companies on the line had been declined. However, the loss of the fast peak service will still be felt by passengers who rely on the train to commute between Manchester and London.
Conclusion
The decision to axe the 7am Avanti West Coast train from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston is a disappointing one for passengers and rail insiders. The move has been criticized for its impact on passengers, revenue, and the overall reliability of the railway. The situation is expected to continue for five months or more until the next timetable change in May, leaving passengers to find alternative options for their commute between Manchester and London. The decision has highlighted the need for a guiding mind in the railway to ensure that the interests of taxpayers and passengers are taken into account.