Caledonian Sleeper - Bargain Berths?

[BigCj34]

The combined traffic to Fort William and Aberdeen from London doesn't justify two lounge cars and two seated cars and each "set" is standardised on having six sleeping cars, one lounge car and one seated car.

So presumably there would need to be additional seated carriages available to have through coaches as well.

Would be nice to have sleep pods or something something affordable while having a bed. However if the berths sell and the trains are as long as they can be, plus the fact the new rolling stock is just in and teething, it's difficult to see something like that happening anytime soon.

Seatfrog would be relatively easy to implement of course, while to be honest bringing back shared berths should be considered. Those that want their own cabin can pay the standard price, while having the option to pay 60% of the price or so to share with a stranger. Is there any commercial reason not to?

These should make beds a bit more affordable, and even available, without simply making things cheaper for customers who would already have used the service.

 

[alistairlees]

There won't be pods. At least not for many years. There can be a through seated coach to either Aberdeen or Fort William - but not both (unless there are fewer sleeping coaches, or Club Cars), because of platform lengths at Euston; this isn't going to change, at least any time soon. There is virtually no demand for shared (with a stranger) rooms. There are many safety / duty of care issues associated with these that did not used to exist. Sales for the current configuration are much higher than ever (as discussed in the Scottish Parliament in January) - or, at least, they were before the current crisis. Changes are not required, just a period of stability.

 

[BigCj34]

There won't be pods. At least not for many years. There can be a through seated coach to either Aberdeen or Fort William - but not both (unless there are fewer sleeping coaches, or Club Cars), because of platform lengths at Euston; this isn't going to change, at least any time soon. There is virtually no demand for shared (with a stranger) rooms. There are many safety / duty of care issues associated with these that did not used to exist. Sales for the current configuration are much higher than ever (as discussed in the Scottish Parliament in January) - or, at least, they were before the current crisis. Changes are not required, just a period of stability.

How did the safety issues from sharing not exist previously but exist now? And how would you know there is no demand, or are you going from the basis that sales are higher now with individual cabins, compared to previously with shared cabins?

 

[MotorcycleAlan]

How did the safety issues from sharing not exist previously but exist now? And how would you know there is no demand, or are you going from the basis that sales are higher now with individual cabins, compared to previously with shared cabins?

Because people are less considerate towards others now than in the past. It can be bad enough in an open saloon with people playing games or music without headphones, or very loud with headphones. Endless telephone conversations telling their life story, or tapping away on a laptop. This could lead to conflict and aggression. In days gone by nobody had so many ways to cause annoyance to others, a book can be read in total silence.