TSSA accuses government of “rewarding Avanti’s failure” after West Coast contract extension

TSSA today (Monday) accused the government of “rewarding failure” after Avanti West Coast’s contract was extended for another six months.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper made the announcement today, despite Avanti still banning most advanced ticket sales and continuing to operate a significantly reduced intercity service.

TSSA General Secretary, Peter Pendle, said, “Avanti are driving passenger costs up and services down, yet the government have just handed them a lucrative extension to their contract.

“No advanced ticket sales, services from London to Manchester still cut to just one train an hour – this is not the kind of railway that passengers deserve.

“The Conservatives are rewarding Avanti’s failure with another chance to let passengers down rather than doing the right thing and bringing the West Coast route into public ownership.”

ENDS