Avanti West Coast is to be nationalised next year in a a shake-up of rail services between Scotland and London.
The UK Government will take control of the operator from 7 March 2027, when its current contract ends, bringing services on the West Coast Main Line into public ownership.
Avanti operates one of Scotland’s most important long-distance rail links, including direct trains between Glasgow Central and London Euston, with services also calling at Motherwell and Lockerbie. Its wider network connects the capital with destinations including Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and North Wales.
The Department for Transport said the change would be accompanied by an improvement programme aimed at cutting delays and cancellations on a route that has faced repeated disruption.
An additional £10 million is to be spent on power and signalling maintenance by the end of 2027, on top of an existing £840 million programme addressing infrastructure problems on the West Coast Main Line. The government says infrastructure faults currently account for around a third of delays on the route.
London Euston is also to receive £50 million of investment over three years, including more seating, improved waiting areas and refurbished toilets.
A further £10 million has been earmarked for improvements at other stations on the West Coast Main Line, while the government says new satellite technology will be used to improve onboard wi-fi and 5G coverage.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For years, we’ve heard stories of Avanti underperforming, with passengers left paying the price. Enough is enough.
“That is why we will bring Avanti into public ownership at the earliest opportunity, in March next year.
“This Labour Government is committed to putting essential services back in public hands, connecting people to opportunity and delivering growth in every postcode and this move reflects that commitment.
“We will also introduce a comprehensive improvement plan, focused on delivering for passengers, not shareholders.”
The government said Avanti’s performance remained below the industry average and argued that bringing train operations into public ownership would allow closer working between the operator and those responsible for rail infrastructure.
Avanti West Coast is currently run by First Trenitalia, a joint venture between FirstGroup and Italian state-owned rail company Trenitalia.
Managing director Andy Mellors said the company was proud of improvements made during its six years operating the service, including the refurbishment of its Pendolino trains and introduction of the new Evero fleet.
He said: “Together, these improvements have given customers greater choice, more capacity and better connectivity, while we’ve continued to innovate to shape the future of the West Coast and wider rail industry.
“Over the coming months, we’ll work closely with the government to ensure a seamless transition into public ownership while remaining focused on delivering for our customers and communities.”
The transfer forms part of the UK Government’s wider programme to bring contracted passenger rail services into public ownership ahead of the creation of Great British Railways.
Ministers say all remaining transfers are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.