Transgender row over who can share train sleeper cabins

MEN who ‘ self- identify’ as women can use women-only compartments on sleeper trains, it was revealed yesterday.

The decision means female travellers may be asked to share a two-bunk cabin with a companion who is physically male.

The transgender rule was disclosed by Serco, which runs the Caledonian Sleeper franchise.

It came to light when a user of Mumsnet posted Serco’s response to an enquiry about the issue on the website.

The post read: ‘Guests travel with the Caledonian Sleeper in shared accommodation for menonly or women-only; the service is provided on the basis of the gender that the individual selfidentifies with.’

But many were critical of this decision. One user said: ‘I don’t think I’d feel comfortable with this at all.’

Another said: ‘Many predatory men have identified as women to get access to female spaces.’

A Serco spokesman said: ‘Anyone travelling can choose to book a cabin alone and the option to share with another person of the same sex is being phased out this autumn with the arrival of the new carriages.’