Posted 28th May 2014 | 10 Comments
'Step into Scotland at Euston'
THE Scottish transport minister Keith Brown has announced the award of the new Caledonian Sleeper franchise to Serco. The winning bidder said it was 'thrilled'.
Serco will provide a new fleet of 72 sleeper vehicles worth more than £100 million, which will form four trains equipped with 'cradle' seats, as well as other seats which will be capable of being transformed into flatbeds. Business class cabins will have en-suite showers and toilets.
Transport Scotland said the service on board would become a showcase for produce suppliers north of the border, and that passengers in London 'will step into Scotland as they board the train'.
The new operation also includes partnerships with luxury hospitality firm Inverlochy Castle Management International and Michelin-starred chef Albert Roux, who will introduce 'hotel-style service'.
Although no details of fares can be expected yet, a wider range of ticket types is promised along with a 'more family-friendly ethos'.
Onboard staff will be offered training towards achieving an SVQ Level 3 qualification in hospitality. Serco is also committed to ensuring that 15 apprenticeships are created and apprentices trained during the first two years. After that a minimum of two apprentices will be supported in each calendar year during the contract term.
Transport Scotland added: "In short, this investment offers staff the opportunity to work for a Caledonian Sleeper with a secure future, new equipment, and ambitious growth plans and to be at the heart of delivering an emblematic Scottish train service of which they can be justifiably proud."
Transport minister Keith Brown told the Annual Rail Conference in Edinburgh: “The successful bidder has reflected the Scottish Government’s objectives to transform this iconic Scottish rail service. The new Caledonian Sleeper franchise will commence on 1 April 2015, and delivers investment in the service for the next fifteen years.
“The contract secures the future of the Caledonian Sleeper, ensuring it delivers a service fit for the 21st century and that it provides – as it has done for over 100 years – a unique, valued and high profile overnight service between Scotland and London.
“The Scottish Government’s commitment to investment has led to a real success. New trains will be built – designed especially for this service, and developed in consultation with passengers. The new fleet will be ready and on the tracks in 2018.
“The service will creatively reflect the attributes that visitors say best describe Scotland; a dramatic, human and enduring place.
“Key features will include - in the seated accommodation – modern comfortable cradle seats as well as innovative pod seats that can transform into flatbeds.
“The train will deliver new standard class sleeper berths. And in business berths there will be en-suite shower and toilet facilities – making it truly a hotel on wheels.
“The service will be easy to book and a pleasure to travel. This investment ensures an iconic Scottish railway journey will be available for all – from backpackers to business travellers. It will open the Sleeper up to a whole new audience. The train will showcase the best of Scotland’s food and drink and will benefit Scottish businesses from Shetland to Stranraer and from Stornoway to Stonehaven."
Jamie Ross, business development director for Serco’s transport business, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected to run the Caledonian Sleeper service and feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with Transport Scotland to achieve their aspirations for a truly emblematic service that encompasses the best of Scotland.
“Serco has a strong track record in running transport operations all over the world from the Dubai Metro and driverless Docklands Light Railway system to the Great Southern Railway in Australia and North Link Ferries in Scotland.
“We are looking forward to transforming the iconic and prestigious Caledonian Sleeper service into an outstanding and world class experience for passengers.”
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Tony Pearce, Reading
Although I have travelled all over Europe by Sleeper Train, I believe its an experience mainly for younger people. I have slept 6 to a carriage on German Trains through to Czech Republic, and was not impressed when we were woken up by armed Police when we crossed the Border (10 years ago). Presumably that won't happen if Scotland votes for independence (only half joking). However on the UK sleeper trains I was woken several times by trains pulling up at Red Signals. There is always a jolt. It does take some getting used to. The trains actually went quite slowly so that you didn't get to your destination too early. I can't say that I awoke 'ready-to-go' on any of those trains. I am afraid that I have now replaced most long distance trains with a flight and a stay in a Hotel. (Probably becuase I'm old and value my sleep.) I've also done the 'sleep-in-your-seat' several times and I actaully prefer that to a Sleeper Compartment. I do question whether Sleeper Trains are commercially viable. They did seem to be patronised by those who could be described as 'scared-of-flying'.
Chris Neville-Smith, Durham, England
Melvyn Windebank: It's complicated, but there are ways of routing trains from HS1 to the three north-south mainlines. I suspect the real obstacle is train path availability, if the Shrewbury/Blackpool business is anything to go by. There again, if we're talking about one-off sleepers, who knows?
Lutz: Yes, businesses regularly let their managers go for days at a time. It's perfectly normal to travel the day before, stay in a hotel, and start a meeting the first thing the following day. A sleeper simply combines the journey and overnight stay into one.
Steve Dawson: Yes, there is the occasional train from London to the south of France. If that's not possible, and you don't want to carry your luggage between Paris terminals, it's normally possible to do a same-station change at Lille if you plan your journey around that.
David Cook: If you're doing a London meeting with a 9-10 am start, a flight from Scotland isn't as good an option as you think. By the time you've factored in check-in time, and airport-centre transfer at both ends, you're still looking at some ungodly 6-7 a.m. start if you want to do it in the same day.
Roger, Darlington
Chris N-S, North of England doesn't count mate! We just live in an inconvenient place that people need to pass through.
John Harper, Edinburgh
This looks like 9 half sets, I hope Aberdeen will be served by a full half set, which leaves a question about the Ft William train. Could Serco keep 5 half sets of Mark 3 stock for a combined FT William / Perth or Stirling service reintroducing motorail using lorries to move the cars while passengers travel on the train as per DB's motorail service. This service could serve the West Midlands as well as London. If the Scottish Government really wanted to push the boat out keep all 9 half sets of Mark 3's for a Gatwick/ Heathrow to Edinburgh service with free complementary connections to Glasgow potentially saving a night in an Airport hotel and expensive Airport parking charges for passengers with early flights outbound and late flights inbound from the main London airports.
Steven dawson, Bristol
No link between HS2 and 1? Now that is what i called forward thinking. I always imagined that would be a priority otherwise what's the point? Why don't we let Deutsche Bahn take over the whole shebang and then we could have a proper railway.
Can you go direct to the South of France from Britain now or do you still have to lug everything across Paris?
David Cook, Broadstone, Dorset
This all sounds very grand, but can you imagine a hotel which catered for backpackers and business travellers? Nope, neither can I. Both totally different markets, and frankly, if I were to go to a business meeting in Scotland from London, I'd want to fly up in the morning, and fly home in the afternoon. And if I were a backpacker, it is unlikely I would be able to afford Albert Roux meals, so the whole concept is just that, a concept fabricated to ensure that they win the franchise. Nobody can be everything to everyone, those that try usually fall flat on their faces, or quietly vanish without trace. The real luxury market is overseas tourists. Think Blue Train in SA, the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada, or our Orient Express (now Belmond Hotel trains). The type of train which you do not really want to alight from at the destination. Something like that could be attractive to me when I retire and take my round Britain train journey.............
Lutz, London
Seems odd to be offering what sounds like a premium Business Class service; are there any businesses these days that can afford to have staff unavailable for long periods? Perhaps aiming it at a premium tourists would be more successful.
Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
Much has been said since the cancellation of the proposed HS1-2 link denying through trains to Europe from North of London.
Well these sleeper trains could provide a short term solution whereby passengers board these trains in Scotland and after an overnight sleep transfer from Euston to St Pancras Station to catch morning Eurostar services and be in say Paris by lunchtime after a good nights sleep.
Whether stops in Northern England could be added to allow passengers from places like Newcastle to benefit likewise will depend on route and timetable .
This also raises the possibility of through trains to the continent using the existing network if links are built from HS1 to,say ECML with trains carrying only international passengers with passport etc checks taking place on board trains just like in Bourne films ?
Tony Pearce, Reading
I hope they are not going to be like the Channel Tunnel sleeper trains (named Nightstar and cancelled in 1997) which never went to service as they allegedly took too much current too operate. The ones built went to Canada without any service in the UK. The days of bad design are surely over ?
Chris Neville-Smith, Durham, England
This talk of sleepers is all very well, but it's not much use to those of us who live halfway.
Any chance of sorting out a Channel Tunnel sleeper? I'd be interested in that.