A Merseyside MP has asked "why is the government rewarding gross incompetence" as Avanti West Coast was given a rail contact extension.
Wavertree MP Paula Barker criticised Transport Secretary Mark Harper's decision to offer the rail operator a further six-month extension despite its "terrible" service. Mr Harper offered the extension following the imposition of an improvement plan that he insists is working to improve the service.
The FirstGroup-owned operator deal was due to expire at the end of March but has now 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".
