Train operator Avanti has been handed a contract extension by the government, despite its 'poor performance' being under fire.
The operator has struggled with reliability, passengers being unable to book tickets in advance, and was slammed in August last year for cutting services between Manchester and London. Avanti, which runs trains between Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston, has since gone back to three per hour between the stations.
The contract was due to expire at the end of March but has been extended until October 15. The Department for Transport has said the extension comes as 'performance at Avanti is steadily improving'.
