The Mayor of Manchester has slammed Avanti West Coast for allegedly ‘double-booking’ seats from Wigan to Edinburgh.
Andy Burnham, who is often tipped as the next Labour leader by political pundits, was travelling on a service from the Greater Manchester town to the Scottish capital on Monday morning.
The city Mayor hit out at the train provider and demanded to be updated by bosses on how and when they will be able to restore a full timetable for travellers.
READ MORE: West Lothian woman ambushed at Hot Dub Time Machine by gang who mistook her identity
On Twitter, Burnham wrote: “On @AvantiWestCoast from Wigan to Edinburgh where all the seats are double-booked. I’m aware of chaos on other services this morning.
“It’s not good enough. We need to hear from the company this week as to how or when it will restore the full timetable.
“I’m not blaming the @AvantiWestCoast staff by the way; they’ve been brilliant. They are being let down by their management.”
But Avanti have said that they were forced to introduce a reduced timetable that was more likely to be abided by after recent industrial action hindered their ability to offer a full timetable. This meant that certain customers, who had booked before August 8 2022, lost their booking and were asked to secure another space.
The new timetable came into force on August 13 and the rail provider say that they have provided more unreserved seating to help mitigate any problems arising from this.
A spokesperson for Avanti West Coast said: “As a result of the ongoing industrial climate, we recently introduced a new timetable to ensure a more reliable service that allows our customers to travel with greater certainty. This decision was not taken lightly and we understand and apologise for the enormous frustration and inconvenience this has caused for those customers who had booked with us prior to the change.”
READ NEXT:
Edinburgh bin strikes to continue as union warn new offer 'too vague'
Edinburgh diner accidentally included in email from restaurant staff after complaint
Edinburgh pub hits back at 'cruel' newlyweds whose wedding party was 'too big'
Edinburgh Royal Yacht Britannia tourist left 'very upset' after being 'shoved' out of room
Ryanair passengers 'stranded in Edinburgh' after passenger numbers reduced
