Manchester to London ‘ghost train’ to carry passengers after U-turn
‘Ghost train’ from Manchester to London will now take passengers after outcry
- The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) initially decided that the 7am express train service from Manchester to London Euston would run without passengers from 15 December.
- This decision was made to create a 'firebreak' on the West Coast Main Line, allowing the train to be moved flexibly to aid performance management and service recovery during disruptions.
- Avanti West Coast, the operator of the route, and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander opposed the ORR's initial ruling.
- The ORR subsequently reversed its decision, allowing the 7am service to continue operating with passengers.
- The reversal acknowledged the service's importance and popularity, despite the ORR's belief that it could negatively impact reliability and punctuality.