An exclusive report by Novara Media, with contributions from journalist Polly Smythe, has revealed that senior management at Avanti West Coast, one of the UK's most criticized train operators, have been making light of receiving government funds despite providing substandard service. Leaked slides from an internal presentation showed managers referring to taxpayer money as 'too good to be true' and jokingly saying 'Roll up, roll up, get your free money here.' The revelations have sparked outrage among passengers, politicians, and union representatives, with calls for accountability and a reevaluation of the government's funding approach to private train operators. The situation is exacerbated by the company's history of service disruptions, delays, short-notice cancellations, and overcrowding. Andy Burnham, among others, has criticized the company's senior management for their attitude while the company's service continues to falter.
I never thought I would agree with Mick Lynch - but he is right to highlight the totally offensive behaviour of Avanti bosses. Joking about government handouts and excessive bonuses for running one of the UK’s most unreliable rail services is shocking! https://t.co/n5G0hiMCvV
‘Free money!’ Avanti West Coast bosses caught joking about UK government handouts https://t.co/oBGkhoGa7V
Too many private train operators provide an abysmal service to travellers, charge rip-off prices, and show contempt for their workers. They're treating you like you're a joke - and laughing all the way to the bank. Let's take back control and return rail to public hands. https://t.co/4soHbCthA7
Ministers handed Avanti millions in bonuses despite soaring delays and cancellations. All the while they were taking passengers and taxpayers for fools. This is exactly why our railways should be run in the interests of passengers, not shareholders. https://t.co/yG51WdTm6t
This is unbelievable. ‘Free money!’ Avanti West Coast bosses caught joking about UK government handouts https://t.co/TIu2Zy3xCz
Andy Burnham told Novara Media: “The cancellations, delays, and chaos blighting the country’s most important rail link are enough of an insult as it is, without knowing that some senior managers within Avanti are laughing all the way to the bank.” https://t.co/P5pRYXAP2A
‘Free money!’ @AvantiWestCoast bosses caught joking about UK government handouts https://t.co/ScgKxktQmI
This is completely disgraceful from Avanti - especially given their consistently poor service, which continually lets commuters down. https://t.co/6vdNJTKqb0
Absolutely disgraceful from @AvantiWestCoast. This comes just months after the Govt awarded the notoriously unreliable operator a new long-term contract. My constituents are being taken for a ride. I will urgently be writing to the Transport Secretary. https://t.co/ypBw41jGgs
Train company bosses joke about 'free money' from the public purse, while industrial relations are at an all-time low and they fail to run a reliable service. Time for public ownership and an end to privateers profiting from our railway. https://t.co/lT9s90GLMj
Avanti West Coast under fire after bosses caught joking about government handouts https://t.co/qQmwj6fcsy
Whilst passengers in the North West face daily disruption due to Avanti's barely-functioning rail service, company bosses are laughing all the way to the bank - literally. The Government is allowing failing rail companies to treat passengers like a joke. https://t.co/OvYIPqgC2T
"Profits before passengers" Head of Travel at The Times @IrvAtLarge explains why our trains are so bad - and why Europe's are much better #KayBurley PO https://t.co/uBUPeuuqnU
Rail cuts cost lives. Network Rail is proposing significant cuts to railway infrastructure funding for at least the next 5 years. ✍️ Email your MP - Stop the cuts to our railway! https://t.co/2Nt4vzy3ac https://t.co/lEporwQm04
Railway cuts are putting passengers and railway workers at risk! Network Rail is proposing significant cuts to railway infrastructure funding for at least the next 5 years. Take action today - Write to your MP https://t.co/2Nt4vzy3ac https://t.co/7MX87k5sCr
“Roll-up, roll-up get your free money here,” is how one of the UK’s worst train operators (Avanti West Coast) privately described taxpayer money. Amazing scoop from @pollysmythe for @novaramedia So insane it sounds made up. It isn't. https://t.co/mNCa1is1Hr
"Roll up, roll up, get your free money here." Failing train operator @AvantiWestCoast jokes about fleecing taxpayers. It's time to end the Government’s open chequebook relationship with private train operators. https://t.co/q7WkmvpPiC https://t.co/5qKW20XTuD
Exclusive: Leaked slides from an internal Avanti West Coast presentation show senior management calling taxpayer money “too good to be true”. Reported by @pollysmythe https://t.co/P5pRYXAP2A
Exclusive: Leaked slides from an internal Avanti West Coast presentation, whose services are notorious for disruption, delays, short-notice cancellations and overcrowding, show senior management at the operator calling taxpayer money “too good to be true”. Reported by…
Managers at one of the UK's worst train companies (@AvantiWestCoast) are cracking jokes about getting "free money" from the government even if they offer a substandard service. Exclusive @novaramedia report from @pollysmythe. Read here. https://t.co/Vp6FWoyF42