Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has launched a scathing attack on Avanti West Coast, condemning the rail operator's service as "completely unacceptable" during a visit to Glasgow.
The newly appointed First Minister didn't hold back when questioned about the troubled train service that connects Scotland with England's northwest and London, expressing deep frustration with the company's ongoing reliability issues.
Passenger Patience Wearing Thin
"I think the service is completely unacceptable," Swinney stated emphatically. "The reliability of the service is just not good enough."
His comments reflect growing anger among regular users of the Avanti West Coast route, who have faced consistent disruption, last-minute cancellations, and reduced timetables over recent months.
Management Under Fire
The First Minister specifically criticised the company's management approach, suggesting they needed to "get a grip" on the situation. His strong words indicate that patience at the highest levels of Scottish government has run out with the operator's performance.
Avanti West Coast, which operates services between Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, and London Euston, has faced mounting criticism from passenger groups and politicians from all parties.
Call for Immediate Action
While Swinney stopped short of outlining specific consequences for continued poor performance, his very public criticism sends a clear message that the Scottish Government expects rapid improvement.
The confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between devolved administrations and UK-wide transport operators, particularly when service quality directly impacts Scottish passengers and businesses.
Commuters and long-distance travellers will be watching closely to see whether this high-level intervention forces meaningful changes to a service that has become synonymous with frustration and delay.
