Avanti

Wyndham

I'm travelling from the North West to Birmingham next week. Used to be able to get a train straight through, but can't at the moment, so I mailed them to ask why. This is the response:

"Our train times have to be planned around every train operator that uses and connects into the West Coast Main Line.

Also, our timetable is developed to maximise our strengths as a long distance operator, as the vast majority of our customers either begin or end their journey in London. With the exception of the Birmingham to Scotland route, our main function is to link London with major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow with high speed and frequent trains.

So if you’re making a shorter journey, you might not be able to find an Avanti West Coast service to get you to where you want to go. This means that all or part of your journey will be served by another train company."

Putting aside the really quite arrogant view that the UK starts and ends in London, it's worth saying that the journey I want to take is around 130 miles, so not what I'd call a 'shorter journey'.

Oh, and the 'Birmingham to Scotland' route they mention? Not running at the moment, or rather I could only find one direct train all day!

Sorry - it's a bit of a vent rather than asking a question. I'm just so frustrated by their (lack of) service and their attitude. And they've had the contract renewed recently....