Thread by @BoycottPalmOil

@AvantiWestCoast How come that the pile of crap called Avanti West Coast is still allowed to operate train services I will never understand. I'm supposed to be on my way to Wolverhampton. So far I got as far as Euston.

I've been here for a while now; and train after train after train from Avanti is being cancelled! Due to staff shortages. Why don't they just hire more staff?! (No, it's not a train strike day).

And I'm not allowed to catch the next Birmingham train as it's operated by North Western Service. How come North West Rail is able to staff their trains and Avanti are not?! The information board very helpfully says "ask staff" - WHAT STAFF?!

After much searching I found one poor lady in Avanti uniform; trying to give advice to about 50 angry people at the same time. She was able to tell me when the next train is scheduled to go. But she couldn't even confirm that that train would definitely run.

How are they allowed to get away with this?!!!

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#CorporatePillaging
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#Privatisation
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#HS2GravyTrain £200bn+
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#CronyCapitalism

The saga continues. I was advised to board the Avanti West Coast to Birmingham New Street at 10.40 and make my connection from there. They announced the platform at 10.50. What followed was a mad squabble from people from 3 previously cancelled trains to get on.

Luckily I'm still one of the fittest; made it on the train and even managed to get a seat. I can't imagine how the elderly, the slightly unfit and the ones with children coped. We settled down, celebrated the fact that we made it onto the train and then we waited. And waited.

Then an announcement came, telling us to disregard the seat reservations (but the train still wasn't declassified). 1 minute later came another announcement: the train was taken out of service, because they had no driver! We were told to "seek further advice'.

Back in the main part of Euston Station the mood was turning hostile. From a distance I spotted one Avanti information lady surrounded by a heard of furious passengers. She looked to be on the verge of tears.

From what I overheard, people were pressing her to tell them which train would definitely run; and not to just send them off to a train that would eventually end up being cancelled. She couldn't confirm anything.

While trying to give people her best advice, she was clutching her phone. She was trying to get through to her supervisor, to find out which trains would definitely be running. But they just put her on hold. I gave up. Bought a new ticket from West Midlands via Birmingham.

They seem to have drivers and staff and we departed on time. I will claim refund from Crapvanti. My return train tomorrow is with them. So if I'm never seen again, that's because I'm waiting for Avanti train that actually runs. (I can feel a letter to DfT coming on.)

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