Still TERRIBLE? | Avanti West Coast - have they improved?
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- Опубліковано 6 чер 2024
- Hello & welcome to a different sort of video - today I debate whether or not Avanti West Coast is still one of Britain's worst train operating companies!
This video is in no way blaming the staff as they do a great job and I understand why they strike - I am, however, blaming the management of Avanti & the Department for Transport/the government. However, it seems things might be on the up...
This video in no way is meant to offend or have a go at the company or its staff members (who are absolutely lovely), it is just a video explaining the poor performance of Avanti.
Do watch the original video HERE: • Avanti West Coast - Tr...
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Any views mentioned in this video are of my opinion and my opinion only. I am impartial and will never be swayed by a company to not tell the truth, however will sometimes speak from my own viewpoint. I always attempt to use sources that are from sites that I personally trust; BBC, Sky News etc. and I will always attempt to portray the whole picture of the subject in my videos. If you feel I haven't, or if I've mistakenly missed something - do let me know in the comments, on my Discord or my Twitter/Instagram & I'll be sure to look into it! Thanks for watching!
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Since my days as a Performance Manager, I would say that the TOCs are not held to account as they used to be. We used to supply the Government directly (before 11 am on a daily basis) stating punctuality and reliability figures - any later, big fine. Any major discrepencies/serious performance issues were punished with massive fines. We also had to ensure that the agreed capacities were adhered to exactly as they were originally published. If we promised 8 cars, then 8 cars it had to be. All these facts and figures were audited 3 times per annum by Government Officials and woe betide if they found any errors/mistakes. The other major commitment was that TOCs HAD to post the punctuality and reliability figures at all Class 1 stations so that the Public could see how they were doing (or not so in the case of Avanti!). I was very disappointed to hear from an ex-colleague who is still a Performance Manager (dealing with capacities) for what has to be an undisclosed TOC. She told me that all capacity issues are now dealt with "in-house". She assures me that it is the same with all other performance issues. If this is true, this is a massive backwards step and an insult, IMO, to the travelling Public. Her words were backed up by a Manager of another TOC (one whose capacities are probably the worst of all) who told the leader of a local Transport Action Group (of whom I am a member) that she would not meet us to discuss performance issues because thay are dealt with "in house". For me, the whole issue needs to be looked at urgently.
The lack of management at Euston is what annoys me the most, no other station makes getting a train so stressful. The platform for Avanti trains are announced too late every time, leading to a mad dash to the train. Hundreds of people all at once, even travelling in 1st class is ruined because of that. And because the platform was announced late, the train is delayed, last time this delayed it 20 minutes with no communication from staff, which is not fun on a full train. I think it's the worst for Manchester services, as so many seem to get cancelled. It's not like this with either the Overground or London North Western Railway at Euston either. I wish LNWR ran direct London to Liverpool trains or at least coordinated the timetable better (40 minute wait in Crewe currently!). But at least from Crewe there is a choice of services to Manchester, even Northern are more enjoyable than Avanti. And even though King's Cross and LNER are also very busy, it is way more organised and calmer as a result and the staff seem happier and more fulfilled to me. Before my time, but they should just bring back Intercity.
I've never actually taken an Avanti train from Euston, but I've seen the mess unfold. I'm just grateful I live on the Chiltern mainline!
@@Vanmanyo Yeah I try to avoid them but isn't always possible. East Coast Main Line is much better to use but unfortunately doesn't go to Manchester. Connections to Yorkshire towns could be a lot better from that end! I am on the West Anglia Line myself so I regularly use Liverpool Street and Stratford and can't complain after the chaos at Euston!
@Vanmanyo I'll put it this way. They call trains 4 minutes before departure.
This channel makes me feel warm and goofy when I watch, amazing quality as always VMYO, enjoy your weekend
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I don't think Avanti will last for much longer. Especially under a Labour Government because there will be a lot of Labour MPs especially from West Midlands, North West England, Central Scotland and North Wales where Avanti operates services to/from that will be calling for the West Coast route to be brought under operator of last resort and with the Scottish elections in 2026 they would probably want to do that before then so that they can have something positive to defend. So I think this will be a Failed Franchise quite soon.
Interesting video, I’ve found that Avanti Rail has been reliable more times than not from personal experience! Would love it if the incoming government would increase transport funding especially for lines like this, that are functioning ok but over time without sufficient funding would crumble. GREAT video as always!
Used it once since they took over after Virgin and it was decent. Train left on time and acc made it to Euston early. However nothing will ever be the same to me as i still forever remember it as Virgin
Great Video Vanmanyo, you’ve earned yourself a subscription!!! 😱👏
Now do this 1 million times 🙏
@@Vanmanyowill do mummy
I was on the west coast mainline when the de-railment happened by Preston
Nice coc
Doesn't matter what stock you have in your arsenal, if you struggle to keep your staff happy. Biggest problem with franchises is shareholders.
Agreed completely.
Still absolutely awful. Hopefully a change of government will sort out the cancellations. I think they have lost the dressing room as far as staff are concerned.
Rail travel is a Hobson's choice lottery - I have a choice of three operators from my local station, which in order of preference are:
1) Avanti - they may have problems, but their Pendolino service are the most comfortable and not particularly crowded (note that I usually travel off peak).
2) West Midland Trains - with it's uncomfortable 5 across seating should be avoided if possible
3) Cross Country and it's really cr**py Voyager trains that are the worst for comfort, are always over crowded, and falling to bits...
The Pendolino may be the best option available to me, but they don't come close to the experience of travelling in a HST - a train that will probably never be bettered.
I'm lucky with Chiltern - I can still get that authentic mk3 feeling!
1:40 Heeeeeeyyyyyy it's the bentolino
9:10 it's the pendogreeno
I think the 807s should be called Pretendolinos
The 90s have already claimed that one, maybe something similar tho
Avanti's other issue is the lack of accountability when staff misbehave or be disablist towards customers and blame the customers when things get formal. Trust me I am suing them
I like the pendolinos. Can't say much for the company as a whole tbh I've only taken them once and it turned up mostly on time that time.
But compared to the return journey (CrossCountry pain) it was miles better. (I can probably turn any train experience into a complaint about XC lol)
As someone who is Travelling regularly between Manchester and London (Euston) not a day goes by when the train isnt delayed when leaving London, worst one was 2 weeks ago of a 75 min delay .... shouldve left at 8.30pm.disnt leave till 9.45 and didnt get back to Manc till 10 mins past midnight....
these delays then tend to have a knock on effect and the earlier train then gets overcrowded and arrives later than usual esp in the evening,
AWC service offering - for this route in partic is imo Not worth the cost of the expensively (over)priced ticket ....
Got a first class return booked next week between Liverpool and Euston. You know what, it will be OK.
I've done first class to Carlisle, it's definitely worth it!
No need to apologise Vanmayo i still find your clips very interesting to watch short or long. Especially with the statistics included to each clip.
Thank you 😊😊 I do appreciate it!
At least the Evero trains are more tolerable unlike their earlier counterparts except the 803s with more comfortable seats.
They have been an improvement it’s just the train technology is very bad as staff been saying this
Great Video! 🎉
Thank you! 😁
Let’s just wait and see if Virgin trains return 👀
Having tried out the 805s recently and going on a 390 for the first time in 8 years and since First/trenitalia took over, I can truly say I thought avantis onboard standard class product on both trains was really good and I’m excited about what the 807s will bring. My 390 back was late (although it was from MKC on a flexi ticket so no biggie) but overall I think avanti seem very good currently.
Trains are good definitely! Overcrowding is still a pretty big issue sadly. Yesterday I went on a 390 from Birmingham to Stafford and the train was pretty packed so I voluntarily jumped ship onto a Cross Country service where I actually got a seat!
@@Vanmanyo yeah I can see that our return train to London was pretty busy and me and my companion were only just able to snag a seat row in the rear coach. So yeah defo crowded
What will happen to all the 221's?
Surely, despite everything, they're still too good to be scrapped?
Some of the 221s will go to CrossCountry (12 of them)
The rest might either go to GC or this new Grand Union company that's meant to be starting this year
May be Avanti 221 should go to cross country as they have a huge problem with over crowding.
theyre going to both grand central and crosscountry
I've have been stood on the platform with 2 Train Managers (Guards), 2 Drivers, and 4 Catering staff. And the first they knew their train was cancelled was the station announcement with the citing that it was due to a lack of traincrew, that's two journeys cancelled with more than enough staff to work it, yet its still the staffs fault according to Avanti.
Couldn't it be that a previous journey was not made due to lake of staff.. The next trip will still be canceled due to lack of staff because the staff with you on the platform can't do a job without a train?
I had 6 days in february a hotel at coventry and used avanti extensive with interrail first class and compared to my trips in 2023 they were avarage compared to bad as tpe in 2023, both has improved where avanti more then tpe. Overall avanti provided me with no delays above 15 minutes and catering service on all trips compared to 2023 where I had 2 trips from manchester cancelled completely, some serious delays and 2 out of 3 trains catering serviced..
6 days in Coventry... I do hope you were okay 🙏
From personal experience, where I live in eastern Fife, I’ve found Scottish transport to be poor at times, with avanti rail made a connecting line from Glasgow to Fife!
Fife do have caledonian sleeper services!
Great need to look into it
yes video have come out
In all fairness I have used Avanti a number of times and had no problems. Trains always been on time and on board staff excellent. No problems with booking tickets etc. However a few days ago at Crewe massive delays and cancellations due to fatality between Watford and Euston,all lines in and out closed. Avanti cannot be blamed for fatalities.
I was also one of the first people to go on these units. It was purely by accident I didn't realise that everything was changing bad boy do I miss Virgin trains even though they sucked as well.
Don’t think they’re failing but they aren’t good. The trains themselves are fine but the company and owners need to fix this. Everytime I’m in Manchester it’s always Avanti that have cancellations, usually with train crew. Engineering works and line faults isn’t on them but on the network rail operators. Avanti either need to sell up or fix these issues
Avanti need to take a lesson from GWR management its much better
We need to incorporate a Soviet line system, low fares and reliable times with minimal cancellations, I’d like to say that communism is the way forward in terms of trains!
Well this is an interesting approach for sure, but if it means lower fares, more reliability then......
Well now you do know that people are wondering why the Class 805s are 5-Car and not 7-Car or 9-Car. But to be honest I actually quite like them. I think that Avanti West Coast are getting better than Virgin Trains.
I think Virgin was better than Avanti West Coast
Least unpopular opinion
Yea no I am still disapproved of the class 805 and 807. Being that they cannot tilt on the WCML. :/ and another of those IETs because TOCs can’t be bothered to offer use new trains designs cuz the IET has been seen everywhere else.
Avanti are planning to work with NetworkRail to bring some of the legacy 110 MPH sections up to 125 for non tilt trains as some of these were in place for older stock which were less safe/derail more easily. And even then, the everos are an improvement to the voyagers, and only currently add an additional 7 minutes of travel time between london and holyhead
No!
You can’t blame Avanti West Coast for the Weather or a person being hit by a train
Nope and I dont!
yes I CAN jamesryeland
@@Vanmanyo I there are some people out there who think that when there is a delay due to something caused by bad weather sometimes they blame Avanti but they Avanti have nothing to do with the weather all they can do is the trains how the trains run on any given day and the staff like it is not just Avanti that suffers from staff shortages other train companies also suffer from staff shortages from time to time
@@jamesryeland1635it’s usually the local commuters on twitter that have no idea about anything complaining on a daily basis
Why do people think Avanti west coast are bad. There are good
Currently replying to you standing in a vestibule on an Avanti service because there's not enough seats...
Currently replying to you standing in a vestibule on an Avanti service because there's not enough seats...
I can't recall Virgin Trains having the scale of problems and hopelessness Avanti have. I like to think FirstGroup (including management) and total hatred of the railway network from the government are responsible. They've never even tried to show anything but indifference to how broken our network is.
Well First Group were noted for almost terminating the Thameslink when it was First Crapital Connect.
@@jimbo6059My god they were useless as FCC. Not just the fact 319s were dangerously overcrowded
There's a reason I've done a full video on them too haha!
I’ve always hated the 800 series of intercity trains. EVERYTHING, they replaced was better, the HSTs, the IC225s, and the voyagers. So if anything, by this alone, AWC have gotten worse.
Whats odd is the trains could be great if it wasn't for a bunch of strange passenger comfort choices. I do appreciate the improved speed and obviously safety.
@@biscuit715 It’s not strange, it’s ridiculous.