Avanti to pay train drivers £600 a shift for overtime

Avanti West Coast has agreed to raise the overtime pay for its train drivers to £600 per shift, following negotiations with the Aslef union.

This move aims to improve service reliability by encouraging drivers to work additional shifts. The agreement, which boosts overtime pay from £125, was finalized on Thursday and will be effective from March 29 for a year.

This surge in pay could potentially push some drivers' annual earnings up to £100,000, although these figures haven't been confirmed by Aslef or Avanti.

Amid criticism over service disruptions, Avanti, which operates the West Coast Main Line connecting London with major cities including Glasgow, Manchester, and Liverpool, struck this deal to enhance service consistency and continue training on new trains.

Despite ongoing performance issues and staffing criticisms, the government has opted not to terminate Avanti's contract.

This overtime agreement is distinct from the broader Aslef dispute with England's rail companies over pay and conditions, which has led to 14 one-day strikes in a 20-month period, with more planned. As of 2021, the average train driver salary was £59,189.