I suppose having the individual portions go for a jaunt round the Sub could theoretically fix that for the Highlander.
The Lowlander would present more of a challenge.
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Sleeper trains: Individual sleeping pods or sharing a cabin with a stranger. Which is more preferable?
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I suppose having the individual portions go for a jaunt round the Sub could theoretically fix that for the Highlander.
The Lowlander would present more of a challenge.
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Trainbike46
Established Member
Some of the OEBB nightjet trains also have reversals!
If we could fit pods like the nightjet ones within a Mark 5 that would be amazing (even if we could only do 2 above each other instead of 3), because single travellers would be able to lie down, have privacy and be stacked more densely
If we could fit pods like the nightjet ones within a Mark 5 that would be amazing (even if we could only do 2 above each other instead of 3), because single travellers would be able to lie down, have privacy and be stacked more densely
The NJ pods are only 2 high - as are the 4-berth couchettes.
Mikey C
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No way would I rent a 2 person cabin just for solo use, it's too expensive. And being in a seat all night is too uncomfortable.
That's the problem with the current arrangement, it misses out the middle market of people who just want some sort of affordable lie flat bed.
Bartsimho
Member
Does anyone know of a measured internal plan of the Caledonian Sleeper Carriage as I want to see how many pods could be fitted in?
Speed43125
Member
Couple of diagrams here.
CAF Caledonian Sleeper LHCS
I just saw this link posted on scot-rail.co.uk. It's the franchise agreement, back from May 2014, and buried within it is all information (including layout diagrams) about the new CAF rolling stock. Club car: Cabins: Seated: Composite pod bed/cabins/accessible Pod beds:
www.railforums.co.uk
From a revenue perspective the option creates a potential weakness: the willing-to-share crowd can gamble on getting solo occupancy for the shared-occupancy rate if they manage to book early. As the train fills and vacant cabins are booked up, passengers unwilling to share can end up having to choose between sharing or taking a different train - and this is especially the case in a market like GB where sharing is the minority choice.
Remove the option and not only does the discount lottery go away, but the experience for non-sharing passengers is effectively improved because pricing the cheapskates into the seats, or off the train entirely, creates additional cabin availability.
There is a possible "middle ground" of charging solo rate but offering a partial refund if the cabin does end up actually being shared, but this has a higher administrative burden and regardless is unlikely to be popular because it doesn't offer the fixed cheap price.
the annoying thing is in that list is a middle ground solution with the pod bed idea
mods note - The next 41 posts from this point have been moved from the Caledonian Sleeper thread.
If they're occupied by one person who doesn't want to share with you then the empty bunk effectively doesn't exist.
Gaelan
Member
They don’t have a choice - there’s no way to book a single bunk on the Mk5s.
Davester50
Member
Well, no. You can book a single.
You can't book to share a twin with a stranger.
Being able to share with strangers would seem like and obvious way to increase revenue, reduce the subsidy requirement and make it a more affordable option all at the same time. Could be as simple as a tick box when booking to indicate you either are or are not happy to share, with a lower priced charged for sharers.
No doubt the inevitable “I was robbed/sexually assaulted on the Caledonian Sleeper” headlines are regarded too much of a reputational risk these days.
Davester50
Member
Sharing with strangers is never coming back. Too much of a minefield for Serco.
Serco are being booted soon though aren't they. GWR seem to manage it without issue on the Night Riviera (or at least were when I last used it).
Davester50
Member
I've not used it in years, so don't know, but a comment on Business Traveller says it's no longer permitted.
In the UK, sharing in a sleeper just won't come back. Way too many issues.
I don't understand what there "issues" are? It worked fine for decades and still works fine on the continent.
I think the issues are largely in the imagination of the management.
Davester50
Member
I suggest you search for the fall out the last time.
We don't live decades ago.
Good for them.
Very much not the case.
As above, the non negligible risk of robbery, sexual assault. Have “same sex” sharer cabins? That’s a minefield too!
Easier just not to do it.
But if I tick a box to say I'm fully aware of those (IMV negligible but non-zero) risks, what's the issue?
12LDA28C
Established Member
And yet somehow you can book to share a room / dormitory at a hostel for the night in the UK with any number of strangers, or are you saying that's inappropriate / unsafe also?
If something ends up happening it won’t stop the headlines and inevitable accusations they strangers shouldn’t be allowed to share. I agree it’s a little OTT, but that’s the world we live in.
It appears from a previous discussion on here that GWR doesn’t allow sharers, at least unofficially (some of the participants might be familiar
):Night Riviera berth plan
Booked onto the Night Riviera to St Austell this coming Monday. Had issues with the GWR website so did it via their call centre. Agent offered me a single cabin but I elected to save 20 quid and take the risk of sharing. On my ticket I'm in berth 7L. Looking at the berth plan on the GWR website...
www.railforums.co.uk
Glad to know that you found a method that worked out. For you.
Davester50
Member
Where am I saying that?
I'm saying that CS and GWR won't do sharing again, and those reasons as have been discussed ad infinitum.
It's not happening. Move on.
12LDA28C
Established Member
I'm asking what's the difference, in your opinion between sharing a berth with a stranger and sharing a hostel room with multiple strangers. Why is one acceptable and one not?
Davester50
Member
It's not up to me. It's up to CS.
Their toybox, their rules.
Sharing with one stranger is more dangerous than with multiple because there is nobody to intervene or witness should a person attack the only other occupant.
12LDA28C
Established Member
A brilliant, well-reasoned argument. Bravo.
It's also what CS's Lawyers have decided the liability risk is worth.
Davester50
Member
You do know I'm not Caledonian Sleeper, yes?
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