Train operator Avanti expected to have its contract renewed despite still regularly scrapping services

TRAIN operator Avanti is expected to have its contract renewed despite still regularly scrapping services.

Officials are preparing to keep the failing company running the West Coast mainline after seeing some improvements in their services.

But the firm has still cancelled one in six trains since their new timetable came into effect in December, data revealed last month.

MPs including Speaker Linsday Hoyle have labelled the service a “disgrace” and urged ministers to ditch the troubled firm.

The DfT stressed that all options are still on the table ahead of the decision, which is expected on Wednesday.

It comes as rail fares in England went up a staggering 5.9 per cent on Monday – despite ministers intervening to keep the price down.

Last summer thousands of trains were cancelled due to staff shortages and operational issues – with fewer trains running than during the pandemic.

And data from last month showed Avanti are still running fewer trains than they did before August last year, and cancelling nearly as many as they did before their reduced timetable was brought in (18 per cent), according to data from the Office for Rail and Road.

The firm says they have taken on more staff and improved services for customers after they were given a temporary six-month extension of their contract last year.

A decision on the extension is expected this week – before the contract runs out in April.

Transport Minister Huw Merriman has said Avanti has seen a “significant step up” in their services.

Ministers want to look at all the data before making a call.

First Group – which owns Avanti – had their contract for the South Western Railway extended for another two years last month.

A DfT spokesperson said: “No decision has been made on the long-term contract and all options remain on the table.”