AVANTI West Coast defended itself after an MP called for the government to follow on from TransPennine and also get rid of its franchise status. 

Train services run by TransPennine Express will be brought under government control due to "continuous cancellations," according to transport secretary Mark Harper. 

Mr Harper did not extend or renew TransPennine's contract, bringing services into the Department for Transport's Operator of Last Resort from May 28. 

Avanti West Coast operates trains on the West Coast Main Line that link the Lakes Line at Oxenholme and the Furness Line at Lancaster with the rest of the network. 

Oxenholme station is within MP Tim Farron's constituency. He said: "The abject performance by TransPennine for many months has led to misery for thousands of passengers in Cumbria and beyond.

"I’m glad to see the Government finally reach the right decision and cancel TransPennine’s contract.

“Now the Government must surely look at the woeful service being delivered by Avanti on the West Coast Main Line

"I wouldn’t trust them to run a bath never mind a rail service.

“Rail travel is absolutely vital to our economy, especially to the tourism industry here in the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, and also in our fight against climate change. We’ve got to get this right.”

Mr Farron said that Avanti West Coast and TransPennine are both run by FirstGroup. While this is true, they are separate franchises and therefore have different internal management structures. 

An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: “These comments are unfair. Our services and performance have improved significantly since the launch of our December 2022 timetable.

"We are running more services, tickets are on sale much earlier and cancellations for which we are responsible have been reduced to below 1.5 per cent for the last few months. We are committed to building on these improvements for our customers in Cumbria and across the network in the coming months.”

Graham Sutherland, chief executive of FirstGroup, said: “We have operated TransPennine Express and its forerunners since 2004, and are very proud to have served the communities across northern England and into Scotland, carrying millions of passengers and introducing new trains, new routes and more seats for our customers.

“FirstGroup is a leading UK rail operator with a strong and diversified portfolio.

“Today’s decision does not alter our belief in the important role of private rail operators in the delivery of vital, environmentally-friendly transport for customers and communities across the UK.”