UPDATE: Avanti West Coast issues latest travel advice ahead strike action on Sundays
Avanti West Coast issues travel advice ahead of the start of strike action by the RMT union every Sunday until 25 May.
• Avanti West Coast will operate reduced timetable on strike days
• Customers are reminded to travel either side of strike dates or claim a full refund
• Less frequent service and shorter hours of operation could result in busy trains
UPDATED Wednesday 15 January, 2025:
Avanti West Coast is strongly advising customers to travel either side of Sunday 19 January due to the latest round of strike action by RMT who are targeting Sundays for the next four months.
A reduced timetable will be in place with fewer services running during limited operating hours. As a result, the trains which will run are expected to be busy.
On Sunday 19 January, Avanti West Coast will run one train per hour between Euston and each of Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston. A limited service will operate between Glasgow and Carlisle. In addition, rail replacement buses will run between Carlisle and Preston due to planned engineering work.
As with other strike days, these trains will operate during limited hours – with the first train of the day departing Euston after 8am and the last train of the day from Euston departing before 5pm.
The significantly reduced timetable will mean North Wales, Blackpool and Edinburgh will have no Avanti West Coast services. Lancaster and destinations in the Lake District (Oxenholme and Penrith) will not be served by Avanti West Coast on 19 January due to planned engineering work.
Customers can use Avanti West Coast tickets dated 19 January any time from Saturday 18 January up until Tuesday 21 January, or apply for a refund from the point of purchase.
Wednesday 8 January, 2025:
Avanti West Coast is warning customers that its services will be significantly disrupted on Sunday 12 January due to the latest round of strike action by RMT targeting Sundays for the next four months.
Customers are strongly advised to travel either side of Sunday 12 January when members of the RMT union, who work as Train Managers at Avanti West Coast, will walk out.
The weekend marks the start of strike action every Sunday until 25 May, which will affect the intercity operator’s services across the west coast.
A reduced timetable will be in place on the strike days – with fewer services running during limited operating hours. As a result, the trains which will run are expected to be busy. With planned engineering works taking place on most of these Sundays, timetables for each strike date may vary and take longer to be finalised.
On Sunday 12 January, Avanti West Coast will run one train per hour between Euston and each of Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston. A limited service will operate between Glasgow and Carlisle. In addition, rail replacement buses will run between Carlisle and Preston due to planned engineering work.
These trains will operate during limited hours – with the first train of the day departing Euston after 8am and the last train of the day from Euston departing before 5pm.
The significantly reduced timetable will mean North Wales, Blackpool and Edinburgh, Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield will have no Avanti West Coast services. Lancaster and destinations in the Lake District (Oxenholme and Penrith) will not be served by Avanti West Coast on 12 January due to planned engineering work.
With fewer services running during shorter hours of operation, trains are expected to be busy, and customers are strongly advised to travel either side of the strike day. Customers who do travel should plan ahead, expect disruption, and check the details of their last train home.
Customers with existing tickets for 12 January can travel any time from Saturday 11 January up to and including Tuesday 14 January. Alternatively, if customers who booked tickets to travel on the strike day before industrial action was announced (17 December) would rather not travel, they can claim a full, fee-free refund from their point of purchase.
Kathryn O’Brien, Executive Director of Customer Experience at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re disappointed by the RMT calling strike action for an extended period when our customers may be working, visiting family and friends, or enjoying days out. As a result, they will face significantly disrupted journeys during this time. I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.
“On the strike days we’ll have a reduced service, so customers with tickets for those days are strongly advised to travel on alternative dates or claim a full fee-free refund. We remain open to working with the RMT to resolve the dispute.”
ENDS
Contact Information
Notes to editors
Avanti West Coast’s revised timetable for Sunday 12 January can be found here along with travel advice: Strike action | Travel Information | Avanti West Coast
Customers with tickets dated Sunday 19 January can travel anytime from Saturday 18 January up to and including Tuesday 28 January. The revised timetable for Sunday 19 January is expected to be confirmed on Monday 13 January.
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.
We’re on a mission to revolutionise train travel. Our refurbed Pendolinos returned to the rails in June 2024 following a £117m investment programme that’s delivered the best in class comfort. Known as the UK’s hardest working fleet, all 56 of these iconic trains have been transformed and now boast better seats, improved lighting, new interior carpets, customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space, power points at every seat and refurbished toilets.
Our new Evero fleet was introduced in June 2024 and will replace our Voyagers. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, will serve routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West, leading to a substantial cut in carbon emissions with an increase in seats, and offering improved comfort. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, these new trains are the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel.
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