RMT Calls for Avanti West Coast to Be Taken into Public Ownership

Rail union RMT has demanded that Avanti West Coast, owned by FirstGroup, be removed from its remaining rail contracts and returned to public ownership. The call comes amid mounting concerns over staffing, safety, and accessibility across the operator’s network.

The union highlighted a persistent failure by Avanti to fill long-standing station grade vacancies or offer permanent contracts, while pursuing a de-staffing agenda that threatens passenger safety and service quality. Issues flagged include single staffing of gatelines, inconsistent ticket office opening hours, and increased responsibilities for assisting disabled passengers, all placing additional pressure on already stretched staff.

RMT has also warned that these measures have serious implications for disabled passengers and station accessibility more broadly. The union plans to intensify its campaign work, engaging groups such as Disabled People Against the Cuts and Transport Focus to push for change.

Eddie Dempsey, RMT General Secretary said:

“FirstGroup’s poor record running Avanti West Coast is characterised by unsafe staff shortages under a business model that puts cost-cutting and private profit ahead of safety, accessibility and decent long-term jobs. Our members are being stretched to breaking point, particularly as demands around disabled passenger assistance continue to rise without the staffing levels needed to do the job safely. FirstGroup has shown it is not fit to run a railway and Avanti West Coast should be taken out of its hands, stripped of its contract and returned to public ownership as soon as practically possible.”

The union’s demands underline growing tensions between rail staff and operators, with safety and accessibility issues continuing to fuel calls for greater government oversight of key rail services.

Image: Avanti West Coast