Time the subsidised sleeper was put to bed

The charming BBC presenter Kirsty Wark, who travels on it every week, defended the Caledonian Sleeper as “efficient” yesterday. It is an odd choice of adjective. The train can be described as glamorous, fun, arguably romantic; but, as a way of getting from A to B cheaply and quickly, it can’t compete with flying.

As budget airlines spread their wings, sleeper services were phased out across Europe. There are now just three in the UK: two Scottish routes and the LondonPenzance “Night Riviera”. All need subsidies to operate.

I have taken two of the three and, like most people, I loved the experience. The staff are kind, the rocking motion is soporific and, even now, there is something of the detective novel in these great machines. Still, it seems hard that nontravellers should be shelling out to top up the fares of people on their way to grouse moors.

We often defend public subsidies for services that only a tiny minority will ever use. We all like the idea of switching off our reading light in southern England and waking to the skirl of pipes in Fort William. We vaguely plan to get around to doing it. Some day. So would the Government mind keeping the grants flowing until we do?

In truth, the future for the sleeper is as a luxury service that charges accordingly. The operator is right to upgrade to hotel-style rooms and double beds. It will never be able to compete with low-cost airlines on price; let it instead compete on quality.