Making a Difference Today to Look After Tomorrow

Avanti’s mission is to make a difference today to look after tomorrow. We put sustainability at the heart of everything we do, focusing on green and social initiatives to do our best for our customers, colleagues and local communities. 

Our Planet

We want to be the most sustainable long distance travel option and aim to reach net carbon zero by 2031. We’re on track.

As well as a sustainability-driven refurbishment campaign for our current Pendolino fleet, with everything from tables made from recycled plastic bottles to locally sourced carpets, we are investing in green travel by replacing our diesel-only Voyager fleet with a fleet of ten seven-coach electric trains and 13 five-coach bi-mode trains, with the ability to switch seamlessly between electric and diesel power. The electric trains (Class 807) will operate between London, the West Midlands and Liverpool while the bi-mode version (Class 805) will be focused on the London to north Wales route. All coaches are made of lightweight aluminium, helping to reduce our energy use further still.

We currently have 3 units soon to be used for main line testing and staff training, with the first trains due to enter service across the network in the coming months. 

Our People

Avanti are passionate about diversity in recruitment, and with our multiple award-winning “Pulling in the Right Direction” recruitment campaign our goal is to increase the number of female applicants for new driver roles with us to 50% by 2030. By sharing the inspirational story of Karen Harrison, one of the UK’s first female train drivers, as well as case-studies of current female drivers at Avanti West Coast, we received a record over 1500 applications from women with successful applicants due to start their training in 2024.

Our Customers

We have launched our Travel Companion App, Staffed by specialist members of Avanti West Coast’s social media team who have passion and empathy for accessibility, as well as knowledge of it.

Travel Companion aims to improve journeys when the unexpected happens by giving disabled customers the opportunity to chat to someone in real time that really understands and can be used via WhatsApp on any compatible app by messaging 07980037037.

Our Communities

Avanti West Coast has launched a fourth round of annual funding for projects designed to improve stations and create a difference in communities local to its route. The Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) is open for applications for initiatives that address regeneration challenges and social needs across the regions served by Avanti West Coast.

Charities, stakeholders, organisations, and community groups located within 10 miles of a station managed or served by the intercity operator on the West Coast Main Line, which runs between London, Scotland, and North Wales, are encouraged to submit proposals for projects that can bring positive change to local communities.

This is just the start! You can find more details of our sustainable plan here - Sustainability | Green Rail Travel | Avanti West Coast