Transport for Scotland are currently holding review into rail services in Scotland and in this review is the sleeper. Here is a link to the site
www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j203179-00.htm
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Rail 2014 - Public Consultation
11 - Caledonian Sleeper
11.1 There are currently two rail sleeper services operating between Scotland and London. As part of this review of rail passenger services we are considering how to continue to fund, and contract for, these Caledonian Sleeper services and would be interested in your views.
Current Operation
11.2 The Caledonian Sleeper service consists of two sleeper services operating nightly, except Saturdays, between Scotland and London. Both of these are currently provided as part of the ScotRail franchise.
11.3 The Lowland Sleeper:
■Edinburgh to London, and Glasgow to London, with trains joining at Carstairs just after midnight, and arriving in London in the early morning
■London to Edinburgh and Glasgow with the train splitting at Carstairs in the morning, and arriving in the early morning in both cities
11.4 The Highland Sleeper:
■separate trains from Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen which join together at Edinburgh, and arrive in London Euston in the early morning
■one train from London Euston, splitting at Edinburgh in the early morning, into three separate trains stopping at a total of 36 stations across the Highlands
11.5 The Caledonian Sleeper services require 66 vehicles a day to operate. Daily servicing and maintenance is carried out in Glasgow, London, Aberdeen and Fort William. Major maintenance is carried out in Inverness and each carriage must be rotated through Inverness for servicing on a regular eight-day rotation.
11.6 It costs around £21 million a year to provide the Caledonian Sleeper services, excluding the track access costs.
Issues
11.7 The Caledonian Sleeper services provide an alternative to air travel, particularly to and from the North of Scotland. However the services are likely to face increasing competition in the next few years due to:
■improvements in journey times and timetables for daytime services to/ from the central belt and London
■passengers having higher expectations of the facilities and services available, and therefore alternatives such as budget hotels and sleeper bus services become more attractive
11.8 Commissioned reports and passenger research, however, show that improvements in on-train facilities making them more attractive, could lead to an increase in demand for the Sleeper Services.
Rolling stock refurbishment
11.9 The rolling stock used by the Caledonian Sleeper services was built in the early 1970s. Although it is mechanically sound and has been cosmetically refurbished a number of times, the level of accommodation provided falls short of the expectations of today's passenger.
11.10 It would be possible for rolling stock to be upgraded - for example, to reduce noise, improve beds, provide better temperature controls. In addition the booking system could be improved. Consideration is also being given to providing en-suite accommodation - although this would significantly reduce the number of berths available and presents technical challenges in water and power supply.
Options
11.11 Overall we consider that there is the potential to improve the longer-term financial performance across all the sleeper service routes, through investment in services and rolling stock.
11.12 We are considering a number of options for the future provision of sleeper services, for instance: removing or increasing financial support; and reducing the provision, either through removing the Highland or Lowland service, or by running the Lowland services to and from Edinburgh only.
11.13 We are also carrying out additional research and financial modelling and are looking at a number of options including letting the sleeper services as a separate franchise. This option may enable greater commercial opportunities for the service provider and facilitate investment in the fleet. As a specialised service, it may benefit from more focused and specialised management. A sleeper-only franchise service could also attract new entrants with innovative ideas to the rail franchise market
Questions
37
Should we continue to specify sleeper services, or should this be a purely commercial matter for a train operating company?
38
Should the Caledonian Sleeper services be contracted for separately from the main ScotRail franchise? Or should it be an option for within the main ScotRail franchise?
39
We would be interested in your views in the level and type of service that the Caledonian Sleeper Services should provide. Including: ■What is the appeal of the Caledonian Sleeper Service, and if there were more early and late trains would the appeal of the sleeper services change?
■What is the value of sleeper services to Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen and are these the correct destinations, for example would Oban provide better connectivity?
■What facilities should the sleeper services provide and would you pay more for better facilities?