Mainliner
Member
Good opportunity to revamp the marketing, to bring it more in line with the reality (and simply ensure that the advertised food and drink offerings are always available, which surely can’t be too hard).
The impression I got is that cost-cutting and economy measures are to be employed, so expect worse catering offerings if indeed at all.Good opportunity to revamp the marketing, to bring it more in line with the reality (and simply ensure that the advertised food and drink offerings are always available, which surely can’t be too hard).
Most travel is within the budget of most taxpayers, CS isn't, it is essentially taxpayer funding of the wealthy (and rail staff).
But, if there's 2 people, the sleeper value becomes far worse for a berth vs a hotel, because you don't pay twice for the hotel room.The seating is usually around the £50-£70 mark, which is well in line with daytime seated fares.
The sleeper berths are usually around the £200-£250 mark up to about £400 for the deluxe berths, but that includes travel. Compared to mid-range chain hotels, which will cost you upwards £200 a night in London, that's not so bad.
The sleeper isn't a budget option, but that doesn't mean it's bad value.
It doesn't look like you do on the sleeper either.But, if there's 2 people, the sleeper value becomes far worse for a berth vs a hotel, because you don't pay twice for the hotel room.
I suspect it being January may be ameliorating those prices. I paid £360 for two in August. However you split it, it isn't particularly competitive or alluring.It doesn't look like you do on the sleeper either.
Choosing a random Friday in Jan, it's £230 for a standard room for one passenger London-Aberdeen and £245 for two passengers.
I suspect it being January may be ameliorating those prices. I paid £360 for two in August. However you split it, it isn't particularly competitive or alluring.
I agree but would suggest a proper cost-benefit analysis is needed. How much revenue do Sleeper passengers generate for businesses in the remote parts of Scotland, and how many jobs does that create? It may well be that spending the subsidy on something else could actually create more jobs.Conversely, providing an 'experience' that gets the tourists with rich pockets to remote parts of Scotland is likely (seen as) good for the local economy and providing jobs etc.
Got a link to that please?According to an FOI someone posted on Twitter, the sleeper is to be remerged with ScotRail to ensure its longterm financial viability.
The impression I got is that cost-cutting and economy measures are to be employed, so expect worse catering offerings if indeed at all.
The fares are definitely aimed at (wealthier) tourists. It’s not great politics, I agree.Most travel is within the budget of most taxpayers, CS isn't, it is essentially taxpayer funding of the wealthy (and rail staff).
Isn’t there still a lot of lucrative gas traffic on that portion, or has that ship sailed?I wonder if they might consider dropping the Aberdeen to simplify the Highlander's working?
CS really misses out on a solid budget option like couchettes. It’s a shame.
You could even have one bed on the floor. There are people who would use that if it was offered at a discount.It does, though it kind of misses out on the height to be able to do three high. If it was two high it wouldn't fit many more per coach than Sleepers. Lengthways would be best but would be ruled out as per the pods.
You could even have one bed on the floor. There are people who would use that if it was offered at a discount.
Realistically what’s stopping CS from making couchettes similar to the “pods” on the new NJ stock?That is a fair point - you could indeed have one at basically ground level (or stepped up very slightly) thus allowing you to get to three. I suppose the original Megabus sleeper buses had three and a coach is similar in height floor to ceiling as a UK gauge train.
Upwards of £200 a night is more than mid-range. Several Doubletrees in London tonight for less than £150.Compared to mid-range chain hotels, which will cost you upwards £200 a night in London, that's not so bad.
Gulp.Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth has announced that the current Serco sleeper contract will be terminated on 25/06/2023 and that work is underway to determine how services can continue to be delivered after that date:-
Ministerial decision on Serco Caledonian Sleeper contract | Transport Scotland
www.transport.gov.scot
A Doubletree doesn't transport you 500 miles while you sleep though.Upwards of £200 a night is more than mid-range. Several Doubletrees in London tonight for less than £150.
Read what I was quoting.A Doubletree doesn't transport you 500 miles while you sleep though.
Realistically what’s stopping CS from making couchettes similar to the “pods” on the new NJ stock?
That would be a lot more attractive (imo), to people who don’t want to share.
A Doubletree doesn't transport you 500 miles while you sleep though.
...at an acceptable cost to the taxpayer, not at a greater cost to the taxpayer.The aim of all parties is to get passenger numbers on the railways up.
Well the only way it will survive is covering its costs - that seems to be higher prices. If it is no longer aimed at UK citizens then the government have to find a new justification for subsidising the CS.Back to bargain berths or further into the "luxury travel experience" market for tourists such that less/no subsidy is required. Depends on your definition of "value for money" I guess.
Or is it The End?
I was going to suggest it is doomed but :-I assume that, translated into English that means taking the sleeper operation "in house"?
Interesting.According to an FOI someone posted on Twitter, the sleeper is to be remerged with ScotRail to ensure its longterm financial viability.
There does seem a lot Scotrail could do to support the operation. It really could benefit from being under Scotrails structure (or even Avanti).Or saving money by not paying for two lots of management?
Moving the sleeper out of Scotrail never made any sense.
I would compare the accommodation to Travelodge. A lot less than £200. And why compare with London priced hotels ?.The seating is usually around the £50-£70 mark, which is well in line with daytime seated fares.
The sleeper berths are usually around the £200-£250 mark up to about £400 for the deluxe berths, but that includes travel. Compared to mid-range chain hotels, which will cost you upwards £200 a night in London, that's not so bad.
The sleeper isn't a budget option, but that doesn't mean it's bad value.
I would compare the accommodation to Travelodge. A lot less than £200. And why compare with London priced hotels ?.