AVANTI WEST COAST INTRODUCE NEW EVERO TRAINS AS SERVICES TO LIVERPOOL INCREASE

Avanti West Coast has introduced additional services and capacity to Liverpool in a major boost to the city’s connectivity.

The timetable uplift follows the introduction of Avanti’s new £350m Evero fleet, hailed by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram as a “landmark moment” for the city region.

Starting on Sunday 15th December 2024, the long-distance operator has been running additional services each week between Liverpool and London: two each weekday, six on Saturdays and two on Sundays.

This comes a month on from the introduction in November 2024 of a further two additional midweek services to coincide with the launch of the new Class 807 Evero train at Liverpool Lime Street station.

Lichfield Trent Valley and Tamworth will also see additional calls to help improve connectivity to and from the city.

The changes are part of the gradual increase in Avanti services from the hourly calling pattern it inherited towards a regular twice-hourly service.

Managing Director of Avanti West Coast, Andy Mellors, said: “We’re excited to have introduced our new timetable, one that delivers on our commitment to improve connectivity to the Merseyside region, with the ultimate aim of encouraging more people to travel by train.

“The investment in our fleet has really made an impact, and this combined with running more trains, offering over one million seats each week across our routes, is key to restoring the confidence of our customers. It comes as we look forward to 2025, a year that will mark the 200th anniversary of rail in the UK.”

As well as Liverpool, the new seven carriage trains, each having 451 seats, will also run between London, the West Midlands and Blackpool. Maintained at Alstom’s Oxley depot in the West Midlands, the 23 strong Evero fleet includes the 10 electric Class 807s as well as the 13 bi-mode Class 805s which have replaced the Voyager trains – offering a greener alternative. They will work alongside the Pendolino trains, which have recently undergone the largest ever fleet upgrade in the UK thanks to a £117m investment.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “The launch of the first fully electric Evero service between Liverpool and London is a landmark moment for our region.

“The £350 million investment in greener, more comfortable trains is not only a step towards a more sustainable future, but also a huge boost for connectivity and the local economy.

“Here in the Liverpool City Region, we know all about how important good-quality trains are, so it’s exciting to see this new fleet offering people more options for travel.

The new service will not only make it easier for people to travel between Liverpool and the capital, but it supports our efforts to make the Liverpool City Region a thriving, green economy.

“I’m excited to see how this will contribute to a more sustainable transport network and help to connect communities across the country.”