A short-term contract extension has been handed to train operator Avanti West Coast by the Department for Transport (DfT).
The FirstGroup-owned operator has struggled with reliability and punctuality during parts of the past year. Its contract was due to expire at the end of March but has been extended until October 15.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said an improvement plan produced by Avanti West Coast after the DfT previously handed the operator a six-month contract renewal in October 2022 "is working".
