The Government has confirmed that Avanti West Coast services will transfer into public ownership on 7 March 2027, when the current contract expires.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the Government would take control of the operator at the “first opportunity”, with ministers citing years of disruption and performance below the industry average on the West Coast Main Line.
The transfer forms part of the Government's wider programme to bring Department for Transport-contracted passenger rail services into public ownership.
Avanti to enter public ownership on 7 March
Avanti West Coast operates intercity services on the West Coast Main Line, connecting London Euston with destinations including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, North Wales and Scotland.
From 7 March 2027, the services will be operated in the public sector under the Government's rail ownership arrangements.
The Department for Transport says the wider programme of public-ownership transfers remains on track to be completed by the end of 2027, ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways.
£10m boost for power and signalling maintenance
The Government has announced an additional £10 million for power and signalling maintenance on the West Coast Main Line, to be delivered by the end of 2027.
This comes alongside an existing £840 million infrastructure investment programme. The Department for Transport says infrastructure problems account for around a third of delays on the route.
Timetable changes, particularly affecting services into and out of Manchester, are due to begin from December 2026.
£50m investment at Euston
London Euston is also set to receive £50 million of investment over three years.
An initial £11 million will fund additional seating, improved waiting areas and refurbished toilets. The Government also says passengers should be able to access their trains earlier before departure as part of changes intended to improve boarding.
A further £10 million is planned for improvements at other stations on the West Coast Main Line before the end of 2027.
Satellite technology planned for onboard connectivity
The improvement programme also includes plans to deploy low-Earth-orbit satellite technology to provide more reliable onboard Wi-Fi and 5G connectivity.
The Government argues that bringing train operations into public ownership will allow closer coordination between track and train as the railway moves towards the Great British Railways model.
Part of wider rail nationalisation programme
The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 enabled the Government to transfer passenger services operated under Department for Transport contracts into public ownership.
Several operators have already transferred, while Great Western Railway is due to follow in December 2026.
The confirmed position is that Avanti West Coast services will enter public ownership on 7 March 2027. The additional spending and improvement measures are Government commitments, but their eventual effect on reliability and passenger experience will depend on delivery.