‘Avanti next’ – MP reacts to decision to cancel TransPennine contract

Commenting on this morning's news that the Government have decided to nationalise TransPennine Express, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron 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 which is also run by the company FirstGroup.

"FirstGroup have proven themselves to be totally incapable of delivering a reliable service for passengers. 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."