Avanti West Coast introduces more services in new timetable
Avanti West Coast introduces enhanced September timetable adding more seats and services.
- Avanti West Coast launches new timetable offering more seats and services
- Introduction of timetable takes services back to the same levels as December 2019
- Liverpool region benefits from highest increase in services
Avanti West Coast has introduced more services across its routes as part of a new September timetable.
Building on the progress of the last change in May this year, an additional 86 trains per week have been added within the new timetable, equating to over 38,000 additional seats – an increase of 3.8 percent.
From the launch date of 15 September, the enhancement of services means that for the first time the intercity operator will be running more services than December 2019, with a new total of 2,045 trains operating across its network per week.
Those travelling between London and Liverpool will benefit from the greatest uplift in services, with an extra 36 trains per week scheduled to run between these destinations. These will provide customers with the variety of a half-hourly service in some of the busier travelling hours, an improvement on the previous timetable which offered one train per hour throughout the majority of the week.
Enhancements have also been made to the number of services between London and the Midlands, with customers travelling on this route having 26 more trains per week to choose from.
The increase on both these routes has been made possible following the introduction of Avanti West Coast’s new Evero fleet – a £350m investment of 13 bi-mode and 10 electric trains, the final of which came into service in June. Up to 20 trains from the new Evero fleet are scheduled to run per day from 15 September as part of the new timetable, offering customers a quieter, greener and more comfortable journey.
Other routes that have benefited from the changes include an increase in direct services to and from Manchester and Chester – with both destinations benefitting from a new weekly southbound service to London that departs later than the last train of the day in the previous timetable. The additional services between Chester and the capital will also offer greater connectivity options for customers travelling to and from North Wales.
Highlights of the new timetable include:
- Liverpool – an additional 36 trains per week to and from London, with calling points for Tamworth and Lichfield Trent Valley on 35 of these services, improving connectivity between these regions and the capital by 40 percent.
- Birmingham and the Midlands – an additional 26 trains per week, made up of 20 weekday services, four on Saturday and two on Sunday.
- Manchester – two extra trains per day added to the weekday timetable, including a new last train of the day for customers travelling southbound. Travelling north, the additional service will provide more later travel options for customers departing from Nuneaton and Macclesfield.
- Chester – customers can now benefit from an hourly service to and from Chester in both directions during the week with the addition of two extra services per day, also improving connectivity between London and North Wales. At the weekend, the two additional services on both Saturday and Sunday will further enhance connectivity for customers travelling to and from North Wales.
Andy Mellors, Manging Director at Avanti West Coast said: “This uplift builds on the progress we made in May and will bring benefits across the network reflecting our long-term ambition to run a consistent ten trains per hour.
“By continuing to grow the timetable in stages, we’re able to respond to demand in a measured and sustainable way – ensuring we scale our operations responsibly while maintaining the standards our customers rightly expect.”
ENDS
Contact Information
Lauren Haslam
Notes to editors
Main image: An Evero (Class 807) at Liverpool Lime Street.
Liverpool – the busier hours where customers can now benefit from two trains per hour are as a result of the following services being added into the new September timetable.
Monday to Friday:
- 10:07 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street
- 11:07 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street
- 15:07 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street
- 17:07 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street (this service runs on a Friday only)
- 08:07 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston
- 14:08 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston
- 18:08 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston
Saturday:
- 11:07 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street
- 08:04 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston
- 14:08 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston
Sunday:
- 17:06 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street
- 14:12 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston
Lichfield Trent Valley and Tamworth – of the above listed services between London and Liverpool, all have calling points for both Lichfield Trent Valley and Tamworth except the 17:07 service on a Friday – which only calls at Runcorn before terminating at Liverpool Lime Street.
Birmingham and the West Midlands – of the additional 26 trains per week between these regions and London, four new services will operate Monday to Saturday and two on a Sunday, improving late-morning and early afternoon travel options. Key stops include Coventry, Birmingham International and Rugby.
Manchester – from 15 September the last weekday service of the day from Manchester Picadilly to London Euston will depart at 22:15, an hour later than the previous timetable.
Chester – the new hourly service during the week and improved connectivity between London and North Wales is as a result of the following services being added to the new September timetable.
Monday to Friday:
- 16:02 London Euston to Chester
- 19:32 Chester to London Euston
Saturday:
- 15:04 London Euston to Chester
- 11:32 Chester to London Euston
Sunday:
- 20:01 London Euston to Chester
- 17:32 Chester to London Euston
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward. Avanti West Coast serves key UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow as well as North Wales.
We’re on a mission to be the transport of choice – connecting customers and communities along the West Coast. Our award-winning Pendolino refurbishment programme transformed the UK’s hardest working fleet with all 56 of the iconic trains providing best-in-class comfort.
Our Evero fleet, which offers more seats, improved comfort, and a substantial cut to carbon emissions, was introduced in June 2024 and is the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, serves routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West.
We want to make a positive difference to the people and places we serve – helping to drive economic growth, green travel, and break down barriers. Our efforts to contribute to society and enable people to benefit from the opportunities rail offers through purpose-led initiatives including Feel Good Field Trips and award-winning female driver recruitment campaign has seen us create over £1billion in social value impact.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333