MP hits out at Avanti service

Another MP has hit out at train operators, after a “truly unacceptable” journey on the West Coast Main line service.

Jo Gideon, Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, was forced to sit on the floor of a train on the Avanti West Coast train travelling from London as there were no seats available for many passengers.

She posted a picture of herself, saying; “After a day speaking in the House of Commons, I caught the Avanti West Coast train back from London to Stoke-on-Trent Central sat on the floor. There are people in every seat, aisle and like me sat on the floor which is truly unacceptable.

“Stoke-on-Trent residents deserve reliable, accessible and fair priced rail services with a guaranteed seat. I will be writing to the bosses at Avanti West Coast, speaking further with my colleagues in Westminster and will continue to outline concerns with the Government until I am confident residents have the services they deserve.”

Direct services between Stoke-on-Trent and London have been slashed from two trains an hour to one, since august, with Avanti blaming severe staff shortages and industrial action by drivers for the cut.

The MP plans to write to Avanti – who were put on notice to improve by ex-transport minister Kevin Foster last month, with failure to do so resulting in the operator losing the contract for the service – to raise concerns over the level of service provided on the West Coast Main line.

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