So the Scottish tourists can visit London for cheap, but the southern tourists can't visit Scotland for cheap...?
Yep! The Scottish tourists are, after all, also paying for the service through their taxes.
So the Scottish tourists can visit London for cheap, but the southern tourists can't visit Scotland for cheap...?
Such as the Highland Railcard?Indeed.
If I was Transport Scotland (I’m not) I would lift the prices on the sleepers considerably during Summer - the market can clearly bear it. But I would also introduce a ‘Scotrailcard’ - basically the same as a Network Card but only available to those registered to vote in Scotland. Amongst other (undefined) benefits this would provide a hefty discount on the sleeper to counter the price rises. So the good folk of Scotland continue to be able to use the sleeper at reasonable rates, the Sassenachs and tourists pay top whack, and the Scottish taxpayer gets a better deal. What’s not to like? (From a Scottish political point of view).
The overnight coaches between the central belt and London often sell out.interesting that the sleepers are both nearly fully booked, even at that price, but the other modes aren’t… tells you something about the market.
This comment echo's my sentiments completely. I travel from London up to Aberdeen about 5 times a year which is relatively expensive compared to flying but i love being able to walk to Euston after work, have a few pints around there, another few drinks on the train, shower in the morning and arrive at a time with the full day ahead.Beyond the whole sleeper market specifically - what I associate with it most is it being a very nice way to travel. I have a leisurely evening, have a shower, wander into town, walk through an otherwise deserted station, get to my bed, and wake up on Euston Road. There is a premium of course. But compared to so so many instances of laughable overcrowding, mass cancellation; industrial action, weather or passenger related delays, absent or reduced cafe service, and a race to the bottom of how many windowless seats can be rammed where a luggage rack should be, my personal experience of the sleeper is one of greater reliability, and considerably reduced stress. In the midst of Edinburgh and the mayhem of the festival, people will pay a lot for that (and clearly do).
I think there a few flaws in the 'Scotrailcard'. Not all people who start their journey in Euston are 'Sassenachs' or tourists and my be exiles travelling home to see family, friends etc.Indeed.
If I was Transport Scotland (I’m not) I would lift the prices on the sleepers considerably during Summer - the market can clearly bear it. But I would also introduce a ‘Scotrailcard’ - basically the same as a Network Card but only available to those registered to vote in Scotland. Amongst other (undefined) benefits this would provide a hefty discount on the sleeper to counter the price rises. So the good folk of Scotland continue to be able to use the sleeper at reasonable rates, the Sassenachs and tourists pay top whack, and the Scottish taxpayer gets a better deal. What’s not to like? (From a Scottish political point of view).
I think there a few flaws in the 'Scotrailcard'. Not all people who start their journey in Euston are 'Sassenachs' or tourists and my be exiles travelling home to see family, friends etc.
Two years ago we planned to walk the Great Glen Way, using the Sleeper to fort William and home from Inverness as the safest way to minimise exposure to Covid. Unfortunately a strike on CS meant we had to fly both ways, with train from Glasgow to FW and two extra nights in hotels. And sure enough we got pinged by test & trace and ended up spending four nights and three days in isolation in a hotel room.My primary reason for reduced sleeper journeys since about 2017 has been price and although covid had a hand in it it was the cost that did it for me.
I only ever use the Highlander but have never seen a top bunk folder away since the Mark 3 days. I remember it helps to make the room appear bigger then but the Mark 3 had the benefit of that upper storage shelf. I am not sure if i would wish it to be folded away now as i like being able to use the top bunk to store clothes, bags etc.I enjoyed a journey northbound on the Lowlander last night. I was late to book and the only room available was a Club.
I got a text message at about 8 pm saying ‘no water to your cabin, we apologise and will part refund you’. I was actually able to have a very good shower in the lounge, so no hardship there.
Then when I came to board, I was told to go to another cabin - there must have been a no show.
All of the above has happened to me before, and I know to several others too, so, to get to the point of this story: in the new cabin, the top bunk was folded away (as used to be the case with the old stock). A great improvement.
Is this new practice? The website still states that both bunks in Club will be down, even with single occcupancy.
Paranoid, I'm afraid! There are always as many Flexipass rooms as there are paid-for rooms. If you find a situation where this does not seem to be the case, let us know, please.I also have a suspicion that if you search for availability using a club Flexi pass as payment, it doesn't show all availability, unless @leightonbd managed to snaffle a last minute cancellation.
Does anyone else have similar suspicions, or am I being paranoid?!
Thanks, I will.Paranoid, I'm afraid! There are always as many Flexipass rooms as there are paid-for rooms. If you find a situation where this does not seem to be the case, let us know, please.
Anyone know what's with the delays this morning? Don't think their Twitter team are about during the night (you'd think they would be considering that's when their trains run)
They generally keep the passengers on board very well informed. There's no real need to tell anyone else. Most customer service issues occur in the day with people trying to book, ask questions, etc. Makes more sense to have the team on then.Anyone know what's with the delays this morning? Don't think their Twitter team are about during the night (you'd think they would be considering that's when their trains run)
Hours after the event, yes! Should be someone on Twitter during the nightThey generally keep the passengers on board very well informed. There's no real need to tell anyone else. Most customer service issues occur in the day with people trying to book, ask questions, etc. Makes more sense to have the team on then.
Why? The only people affected are on the train. There are staff on the train.Hours after the event, yes! Should be someone on Twitter during the night
Staff on the train don't make announcements because there's a lot of people on the train who are asleep. And do you expect someone in bed awake to get up and find a member of staff?Why? The only people affected are on the train. There are staff on the train.
Maybe there should be a digital screen in each cabin? This could give out messages such as the dining room is now open or closed, or we are delayed because of...Staff on the train don't make announcements because there's a lot of people on the train who are asleep. And do you expect someone in bed awake to get up and find a member of staff?
Could be. And the person who updates that could also update Twitter and respond to enquiriesMaybe there should be a digital screen in each cabin? This could give out messages such as the dining room is now open or closed, or we are delayed because of...
I was on the Aberdeen to Euston sleeper last night and can confirm that the display screens in the corridors and the staff (in my case when bringing me my breakfast) informed the passengers of the extent of the delay.They generally keep the passengers on board very well informed. There's no real need to tell anyone else. Most customer service issues occur in the day with people trying to book, ask questions, etc. Makes more sense to have the team on then.
That’s all the passengers need, more bright lights while they’re trying to sleep! What with the call button and reflective signage.Maybe there should be a digital screen in each cabin? This could give out messages such as the dining room is now open or closed, or we are delayed because of...
Staff onboard and display screens are more than adequate for getting information to the people that need it.That’s all the passengers need, more bright lights while they’re trying to sleep! What with the call button and reflective signage.
I suppose they could incorporate an off button but that would defeat the object.
I thought the CS twitter (X) team were on all night.
There's a button in the cabin you can press and the steward will come to you.Staff on the train don't make announcements because there's a lot of people on the train who are asleep. And do you expect someone in bed awake to get up and find a member of staff?
I don’t, in the middle of the night!Staff onboard and display screens are more than adequate for getting information to the people that need it.
How are you to use X/Twitter without the bright light that is your phone or tablet ….?
I don’t, in the middle of the night!
I think the fixed upper bunk is a major defect of the present design or operation in terms of the attractiveness of the sleeper for solo travel. It makes the room seem much more cramped if you're standing up, and either bunk distinctly claustrophobic to try to sleep in - quite apart from the contortions needed to get in and out of bed (already mentioned) and the lack of space to sit up in bed. It's a big step in the wrong direction compared with the previous stock, and I for one now avoid the sleeper after being a regular user for years, entirely for this reason.Thanks to all who replied - my suspicion was that the room had been specially prepped for ‘management’ who then didn’t show …
The commercial point is: if you pay for single occupancy, why have that second bunk getting in the way? And (I think) the answer is (or was): we have nowhere to store the mattresses which are so lavish, generous etc that you can’t fold the bed up and leave the mattress in place.
But if that’s wrong, and the top bunk can be folded up: please, CS, do it!