(qlmbusinessnews.com . Thu 22nd Jan, 2026) London, UK —
Manchester-London Train Service Saved as Rail Regulator Acknowledges Oversight
The Rail Regulator Concedes Mistake Over Manchester to London Train Service
The Office of Road and Rail (ORR) has offered a mea culpa over its controversial decision to bar passengers from a peak-time train service connecting Manchester to London, acknowledging a lapse in acquiring comprehensive information prior to making its judgement.
In an unexpected turn of events, the ORR confessed to missing several “critical points” when it ruled the popular 07:00 service should operate as a ‘ghost train', without passengers, for several months. The move had provoked widespread criticism and was set to commence in mid-December before being hastily retracted.
John Larkinson, the Chief Executive of the ORR, admitted to an oversight in acknowledging that the train would not only be fully staffed and depart from Manchester Piccadilly but was also essential in forming the 09:30 service to Glasgow from Euston. “Upon acquiring more information, it became clear our initial assumption was incorrect,” Larkinson explained.
The controversy sparked in November when the ORR faced considerable pushback for its decision, which it initially defended as necessary for creating a ‘firebreak' in the schedule to manage potential delays.
However, in correspondence to Ruth Cadbury, Chair of the Transport Committee in Parliament, Larkinson conceded that subsequent facts illuminated that the notion of the slot being an effective firebreak was unfounded. He acknowledged that the ORR's assessment team failed to solicit additional details from Avanti, the train operating company, which might have influenced a different decision. Larkinson attributed this oversight to the team being inundated with “82 complex and competing” track access requests at the time.
The situation, Larkinson admitted, was further compounded when Avanti's complaints in early November were not given the necessary attention. Describing it as an “unusual case”, he affirmed the ORR's commitment to learning from this mishap and enhancing their procedural framework.
Ruth Cadbury responded by highlighting the public's confusion and dismay at the ORR's initial ruling, given the train's operational status, popularity, and profitability. She welcomed the ORR's acknowledgment and detailed clarification of the incident.
As the government moves forward with plans to establish Great British Railways, the incident serves as a cautionary tale. Cadbury indicated the Transport Committee's intent to scrutinize processes to prevent such errors in the future.
Despite this stumble, the ORR maintains confidence in its record of judicious decision-making, recognising the lapse in this instance as an aberration. A spokesperson for the ORR stated their prompt action to rectify the oversight, ensuring the service's continuation for passengers, underscoring their commitment to serving the public interest.
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