Avanti Conditions

[PlexiDriver]

Hey all,

Just wondering if people could furnish me with some of the conditions at Avanti? I've had a look through the forum and just want to make sure some of the older comments are up to date - this is for a qualified driver.

The roster seems like a bit of a killer, basically, one day off then swap to lates / earlies and then get a full week off every 5th week?

Is it still unlimited movement on spares? What sort of work is the 'norm' in Preston depot?

Could anyone tell me about links at Preston?

What's the salary currently at Avanti? I've heard it's higher than normal but can't seem to find a figure, also is there an 'on-ramp' for salaries, like a build up to full salary?

Units, I see there are no 805 and 807s in addition to 390s, are they being rolled out to all drivers company wide or is it quite a link driven situation?

Any other interesting bits that I may not know to ask for would be appreciated too!!

Cheers

 

[cebz9]

Hey all,

Just wondering if people could furnish me with some of the conditions at Avanti? I've had a look through the forum and just want to make sure some of the older comments are up to date - this is for a qualified driver.

The roster seems like a bit of a killer, basically, one day off then swap to lates / earlies and then get a full week off every 5th week?

Is it still unlimited movement on spares? What sort of work is the 'norm' in Preston depot?

Could anyone tell me about links at Preston?

What's the salary currently at Avanti? I've heard it's higher than normal but can't seem to find a figure, also is there an 'on-ramp' for salaries, like a build up to full salary?

Units, I see there are no 805 and 807s in addition to 390s, are they being rolled out to all drivers company wide or is it quite a link driven situation?

Any other interesting bits that I may not know to ask for would be appreciated too!!

Cheers

Im not Preston based but yes you’ve got that right. Generally one day off a week, unless if you’re not booked to work on Sunday then you may have 2 days off on the occasional week- dependent on your line in the links. 1 week off every 5 weeks. Yes to unlimited movement when you’re on a week of spare shifts, although not common to move at my depot.

Basic salary at the moment is £80,204. There are allowances that make that £80k closer to £90k (including Sunday working)

As a qualified driver, you’ll come in on 61k. Then 68k once you’ve signed your core route. Then 74k one year after signing off core route. Then one year after that it goes up to 80k.

Units I believe are link specific. They are at my depot but not sure at Preston.

Interesting bit for me is no double tripping. A big reason why I moved to Avanti (you can’t drive to London twice in a day)

 

[Zontar]

Im not Preston based but yes you’ve got that right. Generally one day off a week, unless if you’re not booked to work on Sunday then you may have 2 days off on the occasional week- dependent on your line in the links. 1 week off every 5 weeks. Yes to unlimited movement when you’re on a week of spare shifts, although not common to move at my depot.

Basic salary at the moment is £80,204. There are allowances that make that £80k closer to £90k (including Sunday working)

As a qualified driver, you’ll come in on 61k. Then 68k once you’ve signed your core route. Then 74k one year after signing off core route. Then one year after that it goes up to 80k.

Units I believe are link specific. They are at my depot but not sure at Preston.

Interesting bit for me is no double tripping. A big reason why I moved to Avanti (you can’t drive to London twice in a day)

Do you happen to know what's going on recruitment wise at Liverpool? They've had couple of adverts over the last year, but they've never amounted to anything as far as I can tell

 

[PlexiDriver]

Im not Preston based but yes you’ve got that right. Generally one day off a week, unless if you’re not booked to work on Sunday then you may have 2 days off on the occasional week- dependent on your line in the links. 1 week off every 5 weeks. Yes to unlimited movement when you’re on a week of spare shifts, although not common to move at my depot.

Basic salary at the moment is £80,204. There are allowances that make that £80k closer to £90k (including Sunday working)

As a qualified driver, you’ll come in on 61k. Then 68k once you’ve signed your core route. Then 74k one year after signing off core route. Then one year after that it goes up to 80k.

Units I believe are link specific. They are at my depot but not sure at Preston.

Interesting bit for me is no double tripping. A big reason why I moved to Avanti (you can’t drive to London twice in a day)

That's really good info mate! thanks for all that. Really helpful.

The ramp into full salary is interesting though, but I suppose that can be offset by RDW? What's the rate for that now? I saw some figures in the press but sometimes they're a little overzealous with driver salaries haha.

 

[lrbvoyager]

Just posted 10 mins ago is a Driver Manager position with Avanti at Preston.

Driver Manager- Preston-Talent Pool · First Trenitalia West Coast Rail

Driver Manger - Driving Excellence in Railway Operations! Looking for a new challenge where your people skills and operational expertise can shine? &n...

www.careers.avantiwestcoast.co.uk

Driver Manager- Preston-Talent Pool​

​

Job description​

Driver Manger - Driving Excellence in Railway Operations!



Looking for a new challenge where your people skills and operational expertise can shine?



Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for operational excellence and a strong background in train driving? Whether you're ready to take the next step into leadership or management or explore a rewarding sidestep in your career, this is your opportunity to join our Preston Driver Management Team as a Driver Manager.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about people, committed to safety, and ready to influence the day-to-day performance of a high-performing depot. You’ll play a key part in shaping driver development, promoting a strong safety culture, and ensuring operational excellence, all while supporting the well being and growth of your team.

As a Driver Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of our operational success. Your responsibilities will include:

• Inspiring Leadership: Lead, coach, and support a team of train drivers to meet safety, competence and performance goals, from their first day of training to ongoing development and operationally essential assessments.
• Safety First: Champion a culture of safety by delivering safety briefs, investigating incidents, driving compliance, and embedding best practices across your team
• Performance Focus: Collaborate with key stakeholders to improve driver performance, reduce delays, manage performance metrics and enhance depot efficiency.
• People-Centred Management: Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment where drivers feel valued, motivated, and empowered all whilst ensuring the consistent application of HR policies and procedures.

We’re seeking a confident and capable leader who brings:

• Experience: At least 4 years of current UK mainline competence as a train driver, with a strong track record in team leadership and operational delivery.
• Knowledge: In-depth understanding of Avanti West Coast routes, infrastructure, and rolling stock.
• Skills: Proficiency in competency management, risk assessment, and HR processes. Comfortable using systems like Microsoft Office, TRUST, Bugle, and OTDR.
• Leadership: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and drive performance while maintaining a strong focus on driver well being and support.
• Personal Attributes: A flexible and self-motivated team player who thrives in a changing environment. You’ll be methodical, results driven and able to prioritise the demands of the depot, sometimes at short notice, to support operational delivery. Accuracy, initiative and clear communication are key. For more information, please click here for the role profile.

Not sure if it’s any help!?

 

[SeanW90]

Has anyone applied for the latest vacancy at Euston? Does anyone have the contact number for HR?

 

[Efini92]

Hey all,

Just wondering if people could furnish me with some of the conditions at Avanti? I've had a look through the forum and just want to make sure some of the older comments are up to date - this is for a qualified driver.

The roster seems like a bit of a killer, basically, one day off then swap to lates / earlies and then get a full week off every 5th week?

Is it still unlimited movement on spares? What sort of work is the 'norm' in Preston depot?

Could anyone tell me about links at Preston?

What's the salary currently at Avanti? I've heard it's higher than normal but can't seem to find a figure, also is there an 'on-ramp' for salaries, like a build up to full salary?

Units, I see there are no 805 and 807s in addition to 390s, are they being rolled out to all drivers company wide or is it quite a link driven situation?

Any other interesting bits that I may not know to ask for would be appreciated too!!

Cheers

There are 2 links at Preston, both have 80x and 390.
Link 2 sign everything except Edinburgh. Link 1 take off longsight and Chester, add Edinburgh.
Movement from spare is still unlimited but there is a restriction that the book off time must not exceed 11 hours of the original book on time.
There is not real norm for working. Apart from a couple of Glasgow jobs that have a Crewe on the beginning or end, the rest you’ll either head south or north only in a shift.

 

[cebz9]

Do you happen to know what's going on recruitment wise at Liverpool? They've had couple of adverts over the last year, but they've never amounted to anything as far as I can tell

To be completely honest, I’m unsure. I know that there has been a huge intake of trainee drivers this past year so I doubt things will move quickly if you’re looking to get in as a trainee.

You can always try and reach out to Avanti if it’s been a while and you’ve not heard back. I don’t know who you should contact but usually when you get emails about next steps it’ll have contact information at the bottom of the email

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jun 2026 ==

That's really good info mate! thanks for all that. Really helpful.

The ramp into full salary is interesting though, but I suppose that can be offset by RDW? What's the rate for that now? I saw some figures in the press but sometimes they're a little overzealous with driver salaries haha.

No problem.

RDW is at 645 currently Monday to Saturday. Sundays are flat rate.

My understanding is that you can do 1 RDW a week whilst in training (route learning), typically on a Friday as you work Monday to Thursday during this period

 

[sherman216]

Any one have any info on a taxi agreement or if there’s one in place?

 

[Zontar]

To be completely honest, I’m unsure. I know that there has been a huge intake of trainee drivers this past year so I doubt things will move quickly if you’re looking to get in as a trainee.

You can always try and reach out to Avanti if it’s been a while and you’ve not heard back. I don’t know who you should contact but usually when you get emails about next steps it’ll have contact information at the bottom of the email

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jun 2026 ==


No problem.

RDW is at 645 currently Monday to Saturday. Sundays are flat rate.

My understanding is that you can do 1 RDW a week whilst in training (route learning), typically on a Friday as you work Monday to Thursday during this period

It was for qualified I was on about. But yea, tried contacting.....it's the inevitable railway echo chamber

 

[Archvile]

Any one have any info on a taxi agreement or if there’s one in place?

For Euston only. Book on/off between midnight and 0530 and you're entitled to a taxi in AND out of work.

Also nb the RDW agreement ends this month, unless extended.

 

[Sorcerer]

Do you happen to know what's going on recruitment wise at Liverpool? They've had couple of adverts over the last year, but they've never amounted to anything as far as I can tell

This is a bit of a late reply, but I've heard that Liverpool depot has drivers from other depots wanting to transfer internally, and also that half the work is done with traction that trainees aren't immediately signed to work (807s), so the depot opportunities are quite small. Trust me, I'd love to see another trainee vacancy there but I'm not holding my breath on it happening before my successful OPC results expire. At least being in a talent pool comes with some hope of a job offer.

 

[State]

For Euston only. Book on/off between midnight and 0530 and you're entitled to a taxi in AND out of work.

Also nb the RDW agreement ends this month, unless extended.

Good taxi agreement.

Does that mean no RDW available?

 

[Ridetherails]

How’s the rd pattern work? How many Saturdays/ Sundays?

 

[Zontar]

This is a bit of a late reply, but I've heard that Liverpool depot has drivers from other depots wanting to transfer internally, and also that half the work is done with traction that trainees aren't immediately signed to work (807s), so the depot opportunities are quite small. Trust me, I'd love to see another trainee vacancy there but I'm not holding my breath on it happening before my successful OPC results expire. At least being in a talent pool comes with some hope of a job offer.

I was on about qualifieds mate

 

[Sorcerer]

I was on about qualifieds mate

Oh, do please pardon my ignorance then.