Ministers instructed fiasco prepare agency ‘should lose contract’ after boss steps down over timetable meltdown

Ministers confronted calls to strip a serious prepare agency of its contract final evening after its boss was successfully sacked over a timetable meltdown.

Avanti West Coast stated Phil Whittingham, the corporate’s six-figure managing director, would step down from September 15. 

It comes after the operator was compelled to droop fare gross sales and cancel hundreds of tickets final month as a consequence of persistent workers shortages. 

Avanti West Coast (prepare pictured) stated Phil Whittingham, the corporate’s six-figure managing director, would step down from September 15

Sources stated Mr Whittingham was pushed amid considerations at transport large FirstGroup, which majority owns the operator.

Labour’s transport spokesman Louise Haigh led requires Avanti to be stripped of its contract over the fiasco, saying: ‘This failing operator has prompted journey distress for hundreds of thousands.’

Former transport minister Norman Baker stated: ‘Pressing motion must be taken to revive a correct service.’

However the Division for Transport final evening stated Avanti wouldn’t be stripped of its contract.

Avanti West Coast was compelled to droop fare gross sales and cancel hundreds of tickets final month as a consequence of persistent workers shortages