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The Latest Breaking News from FirstGroup

Government 'rewarding incompetence' as Avanti West Coast contract extended

The government yesterday said Avanti's performance was "terrible" but was making "significant improvement"

Liverpool Echo

Passengers left gobsmacked as 'dreadful' train operator Avanti has contract extended despite months of rail chaos

'It's a complete lottery is the train runs or not...'

Manchester Evening News

Avanti West Coast gets short-term contract extension

Operator of Scotland-London services had been struggling with reliability and punctuality

Insider UK

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Avanti West Coast awarded contract extension despite reliability and punctuality struggles

Avanti West Coast had handed £13.5m to its shareholders during its latest financial year

Liverpool Echo

Contract extension handed to Avanti West Coast after 'recent improvements'

Avanti West Coast had handed £13.5m to its shareholders during its latest financial year

Birmingham Post

FirstGroup upgrades profit targets as bus and train travel rebounds

The company reported increased passenger volumes on its buses since September, as it has also seen driver staffing pressure ease.

The Independent UK

FirstGroup acquires Essex bus company

The deal brings fleet of 55 buses, as well as a vehicle refurbishment and resale business

Insider UK

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Avanti West Coast handed shareholders £13.5m ahead of complaints jumping to almost 10 times the national average

Avanti took over the running of the west coast mainline from Virgin Trains in December 2019 and is 70% owned by FirstGroup and 30% owned by Trenitalia

Birmingham Post

Anger as Avanti in line for 'seven-figure taxpayer bonus'

The operator has struggled in recent months

Liverpool Echo

FirstGroup hails 'resilient' results

Transport group's profits rise as it sold off certain divisions

Insider UK

Want to understand Britain’s decline? Try catching a train in the north of England

The recent history of our trains is a hare-brained plunge into underinvestment, privatisation and crony capitalism, says the Guardian columnist John Harris

The Guardian - UK

Rail failings ‘causing serious damage’ to north of England

Five metro mayors issue statement calling for government action after thousands of late cancellations

The Guardian - UK

Avanti West Coast must ‘drastically improve’ after securing six-month extension

Rail firm has been criticised after reducing train services and releasing tickets only a few days in advance

The Guardian - UK

Avanti West Coast given new deadline to improve train services

FirstGroup plc, which co-owns Avanti West Coast in a joint venture with Italy's Trenitalia, said it was 'committed' to providing services that meet people's needs

Birmingham Post

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The Independent UK

Hundreds of trains cancelled on Friday ahead of national rail strike on Saturday

Avanti West Coast given a six-month deadline ‘to deliver certainty of service to its passengers’

The Guardian - UK

Why can’t I book a train? How Avanti West Coast hit the buffers

A drivers’ strike in October will help mask the service failures of one of Britain’s main train operators

Daily Record

Lockerbie rail passengers dealt further below as TransPennine Express introduces reduced timetable

The last train will leave Edinburgh for Lockerbie at 6.11pm, with a later train being replaced by a bus service that takes twice as long

Manchester Evening News

Reversal of Avanti West Coast timetable cuts an 'absolute priority', says minister - but she hasn't said WHEN more trains will run between Manchester and London

Transport minister Trudy Harrison faced shouts of 'when?' from Labour MPs

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news in one place.

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Manchester Evening News

Trains axed in TransPennine Express timetable changes as Avanti anger continues

The operator referenced Covid, 'higher-than-normal sickness levels and ongoing industrial relations issues'

The Independent UK

Tram workers to stage three-day strike in dispute over pay

Aslef says drivers have been offered a 3% rise while inflation is above 12%.

The Guardian - UK

Avanti paid shareholders £11.5m despite ‘abysmal’ service for rail users

Train operator under fire for dividend payment amid severe cuts on its west coast main line

Wales Online

Boss of train firm given £1m bonus in week of strikes

The chief executive will be able to cash in on his shares within five years

Manchester Evening News

Anger as train firm boss awarded £1m share bonus amid strikes and railway chaos

Andy Burnham said: "If these bosses had any decency they would read the room and hand these bonuses back."

Daily Mirror

Train firm chief is awarded £1million share bonus in week of railway chaos

FirstGroup owns chaos-stricken Avanti West Coast whose passengers scaled a spiked fence on Tuesday - and it awarded boss Graham Sutherland nearly a million shares on Thursday. They take five years to cash in, subject to performance

Insider UK

US suitor pulls out of FirstGroup acquisition bid

Transport firm's board concludes final bid 'significantly undervalues' its current and future prospects

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