The managing director of Avanti West Coast is stepping down, amid a backlash over timetable cuts.
Phil Whittingham, managing director of the rail company, will leave his role from September 15 to “pursue other executive leadership opportunities”.
He transferred to Avanti West Coast, as managing director, from Virgin West Coast Trains Limited, following the rail franchise change process, after 23 years in various roles on the railway.
Services between London and Manchester – which also calls at Watford Junction – have been cut by a third, with the company blaming “staffing issues”.
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Steve Montgomery, First Rail managing director, said: “Having led the team through the challenges presented by the pandemic over the last two years and into the recovery period, Phil leaves with the team ready for the challenges in delivering the future service requirements.
“I would like to thank Phil and wish him well in the future.”
His departure is notably the same day when new train strikes take place.
A spokesman for the drivers union Aslef said: “The MD of Avanti West Coast has gone because he lied about unofficial action at the company.
“We look forward to working with a new MD who can, and will, deliver for passengers and staff.”
Addressing concerns over the reduced service, a spokesperson for Avanti West Coast said: “We know we’re not delivering the service our customers rightly expect and we apologise for the enormous frustration and inconvenience.
“Our customers and communities deserve a dependable train service, so we’re currently working hard to rebuild our timetable in a resilient and sustainable way.
“Resolving this situation requires a robust plan that will allow us to gradually increase services without being reliant on traincrew overtime, which has fallen dramatically in recent weeks.
“We would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding.”
The company also points to a major drop in the number of train cancellations since the new timetable took effect.
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