Trade union welcomes 'long overdue' decision to nationalise Avanti
Operator which runs services between West Midlands, Scotland and London will make the switch after its contract ends in March
A trade union representing rail workers has welcomed the news that Avanti West Coast will be nationalised next year.
The Department for Transport said the company would become the latest operator to be brought under the banner of the government's new Great British Railways after its contract ends on March 7.
Avanti West Coast runs services on the West Coast Main Line, connecting Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley, Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International with stations elsewhere in the West Midlands, London, the North West and Scotland.
Union TSSA, which has collective bargaining rights for all station and revenue protection staff and represents many managers in Avanti West Coast, said the move was "long overdue and puts passengers before profit".
TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: "The end of Avanti on the West Coast Main Line is long overdue and will put passengers before profit.
"It is something we wholeheartedly welcome. Our union has campaigned long and hard for the end of privatisation on our precious railways and this is another major step in the right direction as we move towards a unified, publicly run railway.
"However, this can't just be about a change of ownership or branding but better and more reliable services, proper investment, improved safety and decent, secure jobs across the network."
Avanti West Coast will join a host of other rail operators to be nationalised, joining local providers such as West Midlands Trains, which was nationalised in February, and Chiltern which made the switch last week.
The eventual aim is for all train services to come under the auspices of government body Great British Railways by the end of 2027.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "For years, we've heard stories of Avanti underperforming, with passengers left paying the price.
"Enough is enough. That is why we will bring Avanti into public ownership at the earliest opportunity, in March next year.
"This Labour Government is committed to putting essential services back in public hands, connecting people to opportunity and delivering growth in every postcode and this move reflects that commitment.
"We will also introduce a comprehensive improvement plan, focused on delivering for passengers, not shareholders."
Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said: "We're proud of what we've achieved over the last six years - from refurbishing our Pendolino fleet and introducing our new Evero trains to running more services than ever before.
"Together, these improvements have given customers greater choice, more capacity and better connectivity while we've continued to innovate to shape the future of the West Coast and wider rail industry.
"Over the coming months, we'll work closely with the government to ensure a seamless transition into public ownership while remaining focused on delivering for our customers and communities."