Transport secretary, Mark Harper, is updating the House on the Department of Transport’s negotiated National Rail Contract for the West Coast Partnership rail operator.

In March 2023 the department extended its contract with First Trenitalia, operating passenger rail services on the West Coast partnership although this contact officially ends on October 15, 2023.

Mark Harper said: “We have awarded a National Rail Contract to First Trenitalia to continue operating the West Coast Partnership, providing West Coast train services as Avanti West Coast.“This contract, starting on 15 October 2023, will have a core term of 3 years and a maximum possible term of 9 years. After 3 years, the contract can be terminated at any point with 3 months’ notice at my discretion.”“The decision to award a contract to First Trenitalia was contingent on the operator continuing to win back the confidence of passengers, with a particular focus on more reliable weekend services, continued reductions in cancellations, and improvements in passenger information during planned and unplanned disruption. The department has worked closely with Avanti to restore reliability and punctuality to levels that passengers expect.”

Avanti’s performance has improved significantly, with Avanti caused cancellations consistently below 3% since March 2023, and as low as 1.1% in July 2023, down from 13% in January 2023. Over 90% of trains now arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, improved from 75% in December 2022. Over 100 additional drivers have been trained and brought on since April 2022, and improvements to passenger facilities on trains include better seats, lighting, and charging points.

The National Rail Contract will support the introduction of electric and bi mode Hitachi trains, a new fleet, which later this year will replace the current diesel fleet as part of Vanti’s goal of cutting 61% carbon emissions and offering more space to passengers. The new trains support DfT’s strategic aims of reducing environmental impact and improving transport for the user.