Category: Press Release

Caledonian Sleeper Franchise Update June 2023

Posted on by Mark Johnson

Caledonian Sleeper moves into Scottish Government ownership

Caledonian Sleeper services will be provided within Scottish Government ownership from today, Sunday 25 June 2023.

This new arrangement replaces the previous Caledonian Sleeper franchise, operated by Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited.

This is a result of the Scottish Government’s decision to run Caledonian Sleeper services, from the expiry of the current franchise, through an arm’s length company owned and controlled by the Scottish Government, in line with its Operator of Last Resort Duty.

Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:

“Today sees the start of a new era for the Caledonian Sleeper as the services come into public ownership, in line with our Operator of Last Resort duty.

“The decision to mobilise Operator of Last resort arrangements, announced to Parliament earlier this year, followed an extensive review and consideration of the options available to provide Caledonian Sleeper services beyond June this year, when the current franchise expires. This review was conducted against the background of substantial uncertainty regarding future market conditions and the pace and impact of the UK Government’s rail reform process.

“It is fitting that we recognise the successes of the staff and management at the Caledonian Sleeper who have transformed this service, and who will remain as valued members of the team. I give my reassurances that there is a continued role for them to play in the future success of the service.

“In recent years, the Caledonian Sleeper has flourished, with increasing numbers of people using its unique journey opportunities. The service plays an important role in showcasing the best of Scotland and I look forward to building on that success in the years to come.”

FAQs

What is happening on 25th June?

From 25th June 2023, Caledonian Sleeper services will be provided by an arm’s length company, Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH) which is wholly owned and controlled by the Scottish Government.

Why is this happening?

In October 2022, having reviewed the operation of rail franchises in Scotland, the Scottish Government decided to terminate the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise Agreement with Serco. Earlier this year, the Scottish Government decided that Caledonian Sleeper services should instead be provided by the Scottish Government, this transfer will officially take place on 25th June 2023.

Is this the end of Caledonian Sleeper services?

No, Caledonian Sleeper services will continue as normal after 25th June. The only difference is that the service will be governed, managed and operated by a public operator (Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH) instead of Serco.

What will the new company be called?

The new Sleeper company will be known as Caledonian Sleeper Limited.

Will there be a new registered office?

There are no plans to change our registered head office, Inverness will continue to be the registered head office for the company.

What plans do Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH) have for Sleeper services when it takes over from Serco?

Caledonian Sleeper will continue to operate as it does now with reservations available for up to 12 months in advance. Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH) will be focused on maintaining our current high standards of service through the transition. In due course, the Scottish Government Ministers and Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH), in partnership with Caledonian Sleeper Limited, will set out their aspirations for Caledonian Sleeper’s evolution.

Will Caledonian Sleeper be merged back into ScotRail?

Caledonian Sleeper will operate as a separate business, as part of Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH).

Can I make a booking for travel after 25th June?

Yes, absolutely. Caledonian Sleeper services will not be affected by the change on 25th June, and you can plan your journey and make reservations as normal. Our booking window is up to 12 months in advance of travel.

Will existing bookings be affected by this change?

There will be no impact to your booking and your reservation remains valid. The Caledonian Sleeper services continue as normal regardless of the change in operator.

Is my ticket still valid after the 25th of June?

Yes, absolutely. The Caledonian Sleeper services continue as normal regardless of the change in operator.

As my plans have changed, can I have a refund? Does the same cancellation policy remain after 25th June?

There will be no change to the cancellation policy on 25th June. Refunds are still available and they remain subject to our standard ticket terms and conditions.

Will your current staff remain?

Our staff are protected by TUPE regulations and will transfer across to the new public operator effective 25th June. This includes the Senior Management Team of Caledonian Sleeper.

Will there be any change to pricing?

There are no plans to change ticket prices.

If your prices are reduced, will I get a refund?

There are no plans to change ticket prices.

Will you be reintroducing bargain berths?

There are no plans to change the current product offering or ticket pricing.

Will there be any changes to onboard services?

Our onboard crew will continue to deliver the high standards of service for which they are known. You can expect the service to look and feel exactly the same as it did before the transition.

Will the ban on alcohol currently in place on Scotrail services apply to the Sleeper service?

Our onboard offering includes the option of selected alcoholic beverages. There will be no change to this part of our service offering.

Are there plans to change the onboard menu?

There are no plans to change the service offering, including our menu, at this time.

Will there be a review of suppliers as a consequence of the transition?

There are no plans to alter any aspect of the service at the time of the transition and our current list of suppliers remains unchanged.

 

 

Caledonian Sleeper officially launches £150m new fleet of trains

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Serco Caledonian Sleeper has launched its new £150m fleet – with the first guests travelling on the revitalised overnight rail service.

The new carriages made their debut last night (Sunday 28 April) on the Lowlander route between London and Glasgow/Edinburgh. This will be followed by their introduction on the Highlander route between London and Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William in the coming weeks.

Designed to accommodate the modern-day traveller, the new trains offer accommodation ranging from completely new comfort seats for the budget traveller to rooms with double beds and en-suites – for the first time in the history of Caledonian Sleeper. Accommodation includes:

  • Completely new redesigned comfort seats with personal locker, reading light and charging point
  • Classic Rooms (solo or shared use with an option of interconnecting rooms, toiletries included)
  • Club Rooms (solo or shared use with en-suite, station lounge access, breakfast, luxury toiletries included)
  • Caledonian Double (double bed with en-suite, station lounge access, breakfast, luxury toiletries included)
  • Accessible Rooms (double or twin, toiletries included and directly adjacent to accessible toilet)

Combining travel to and from the heart of London with comfortable overnight accommodation, prices for Comfort Seats start from £45, Classic Rooms from £140 for Solo or £170 for two people sharing (equating to £85 per person), Club Rooms from £205 for Solo and £250 for Shared and Caledonian Doubles from £335 for Solo and £400 for Shared.

All Accessible Rooms are priced at the same level as Classic Rooms – including those with double beds. Caledonian Sleeper has engaged extensively with experts from The Shaw Trust to ensure the best possible experience for guests with access needs, including placing accessible toilets adjacent to accessible rooms. In addition, Caledonian Sleeper’s Guest Lounges in Dundee, Fort William, Leuchars, Perth, Stirling and Inverness all offer accessible shower facilities.

Other new features are included on the new trains, such as a hotel-style keycard entry system, charging panels and WiFi throughout the train.

In addition to introducing its new fleet, Caledonian Sleeper has also launched a new marketing campaign which will inspire potential guests to ‘Dream Big’. Debuting across digital, social and outdoor advertising platforms, it is designed to encourage a new audience to discover Caledonian Sleeper and the world of possibilities it unlocks.

Ryan Flaherty, Serco’s Managing Director for Caledonian Sleeper, said: “Our new trains have been years in the making and to see them make their debut is a huge moment for everyone involved in making this dream a reality.

“The overriding ambition has been to deliver on our vision of a Caledonian Sleeper service fit for today’s traveller, one that combines the modern facilities people expect with that feeling of nostalgia that comes from long-distance railway travel. We want guests to have a magical journey with us, whether they are travelling for business or for pleasure.”

Rupert Soames, Chief Executive of Serco, said: “This is a proud and exciting moment for everyone who has been involved in bringing these new trains into service. It has been an incredibly complex project and this is the culmination of a huge effort and investment by all parties. We are very grateful to everyone who has contributed and we can now look forward to the new service and all that it offers to travellers between Scotland and London.”

The fleet, built at a cost of £150m, has been part funded by capital grants from Scottish Ministers and from the UK Government.

Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, said: “The Scottish Government is proud to have played its part in the launch of this new Caledonian Sleeper service. In subsidy over the 15 years of this Franchise, in support for this fleet of new trains, and in funding for stations and passenger lounges – this is clear evidence of our genuine commitment to both rail and tourism in Scotland.

“The scale of change is remarkable, and a credit to everyone who has worked on this project. I know those involved have been driven by an ethos of transforming the passenger experience and putting guests first. This is demonstrated by the on-board staff, the real stars of this service.

“Caledonian Sleeper shows the best of railways, and the best of Scotland. It’s time for this franchise to shine, and to be a real source of pride for the people of Scotland.”

Rt Hon David Mundell MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see the launch of the new Caledonian Sleeper service. The UK Government has invested £50 million in the new fleet, improving vital connectivity between Scotland and England, and improving the service for the thousands of passengers. I was pleased to travel on their debut journey and look forward to using this service for years to come.”

To book a journey on the new Caledonian Sleeper, visit sleeper.scot.

Caledonian Sleeper gives first look inside new trains on revamped website

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Caledonian Sleeper has unveiled the first images from inside its new fleet of trains on a revamped website launched to mark the final countdown.

As well as showcasing the revitalised Caledonian Sleeper, the website – sleeper.scot –makes it easier than ever for people to book their magical journey and explore the destinations the trains reach.

The overnight rail service between London and Scotland will be transformed by the introduction of the £150m fleet, with a total of 75 new carriages set to make their debut.

Caledonian Sleeper’s new trains will begin operating by the end of May, initially on the Lowlander route between London and Glasgow / Edinburgh. They will subsequently debut on the Highlander route between London and Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William.

Designed to accommodate the modern-day traveller, bookings can already be made for travel on the new trains from 2 June. Once the official introduction date is confirmed, the booking system will be updated.

Guests on the new services will be able to enjoy a range of accommodation types, including rooms with double beds and en-suites – for the first time in the history of Caledonian Sleeper.

Compared to the current fleet, the new trains will provide significantly different and improved accommodation:
• Comfort Seats
• Classic Rooms (solo or shared use with an option of interconnecting rooms, toiletries included)
• Club Rooms (solo or shared use with en-suite and shower, station lounge access, breakfast, luxury toiletries included)
• Caledonian Double (double bed with en-suite and shower, station lounge access, breakfast, luxury toiletries included)
• Accessible Rooms (double or twin, toiletries included)

Ryan Flaherty, Serco’s Managing Director for Caledonian Sleeper, said: “The launch of the new Caledonian Sleeper is fast approaching and travelling on our service will be a truly magical experience that will transform travel between London and Scotland.

“I would encourage anyone interested in being one of the first to experience the new trains to book their travel on our new website, which has been completely revamped to reflect the monumental and exciting changes to our service.

“Caledonian Sleeper is competitively priced and means guests can avoid the hassle or additional costs of getting to and from the airport. It is the only way to be at your destination in plenty of time for early morning meetings or a full day’s sightseeing without the cost of a hotel.”

Combining travel to and from the heart of London with comfortable overnight accommodation, prices for Comfort Seats start from £45, Classic Rooms from £140 for Solo or £170 for Shared, Club Rooms from £205 for Solo and £250 for Shared and Caledonian Doubles from £335 for Solo and £400 for Shared. Various Railcard discounts may also apply, while guests are always assigned the best value ticket when making their booking.

Caledonian Sleeper fares have no hidden costs and allow guests to bring multiple suitcases or excess baggage on board without incurring any additional charges. And with centre-to-centre travel, there is an additional cost saving over flying as there is no need to pay for connections to take you in or out of the city. That means Caledonian Sleeper is not only the most civilised way to travel – it is also frequently the most cost effective.

With a 12-month booking window, it also means that guests can plan their travel well in advance. That is a major advantage over other train operators, where cheaper advance fares are usually only available from 12 weeks before travel.

The new Caledonian Sleeper coaches were constructed by CAF in Spain at a cost of over £150m, part funded by a capital grant from Scottish Ministers of £60m.

Testing has been underway across the UK throughout 2018 and early 2019, while the coaches are currently undergoing final fitting out in the Central Belt.