Caledonian Sleeper services to be operated by Scottish Government
THE SCOTTISH Government has confirmed that it will take over the operation of the Caledonian Sleeper from June 25, following the announcement made last year that the current franchise operated by Serco would be terminated early (Railways Illustrated issue 238).
A statement made by Scottish Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth to Parliament on March 2 said: “Having stated in October that the existing Caledonian Sleeper franchise would come to an end in June 2023, I want to give rail staff and passengers as much certainty as I can about the future. “With the franchise ending on June 25, 2023, we have carefully assessed the options for successor arrangements in accordance with the current legislative framework.
“This decision has been taken following a detailed analysis of the options available and in accordance with the current UK legislative framework and the Scottish Ministers’ Franchising Policy Statement.
“Having regard to continuing uncertainty regarding market conditions, travel behaviours and ongoing UK rail reform, it was decided that a Direct Award was not viable and that services should instead be provided by the Scottish Government in line with its Operator of Last Resort duty. “That is why I have confirmed that, from the expiry of the current franchise, Caledonian Sleeper services will be provided through Scottish Rail Holdings, a company wholly owned and controlled by the Scottish Government.
“Caledonian Sleeper staff will transfer to the new Scottish Government-owned entity, with their terms and conditions protected.
“This approach will provide a stable platform for sleeper services and certainty for passengers and staff.” Serco took over the operation of CS in 2015 and has overseen the introduction of new Caf-built Mk.5 sleeper stock, which was brought into use in 2019, replacing the previous Mk.3 coaching stock that had been in use on the service.
Traction for the trains is provided by GB Railfreight, using a small fleet of rebuilt Class 73/9s and Class 92s for the services, with Class 66s and 67s also used to pilot some ‘Highlander’ services.
CS is one of two dedicated sleeper services operating in the UK six days a week between Sunday and Friday. Great Western Railway is the other operator, running the Night Riviera between London and Penzance. However, the CS operation is far larger than that operated by GWR, with the CS running a ‘Lowlander’ service each night between London, Edinburgh and Glasgow in each direction.
Northbound services are split at Carstairs, with one portion continuing to Glasgow and the other to Edinburgh, while the trains originating from Glasgow and Edinburgh are coupled at Carstairs before continuing along the West Coast Main Line to London Euston.
The operator also runs ‘Highlander’ sleeper services between Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness to London Euston, with the three services either being coupled or split at Edinburgh Waverley before continuing north or southbound, depending on the direction of travel.
All services in or out of London are formed of 16 Mk.5 coaches, making the Caledonian Sleeper trains one the longest passenger trains to operate in the UK.
A statement issued on the CS website by Serco on March 2 said: “It has been announced that the Scottish Government has decided to appoint a public body to manage and operate Caledonian Sleeper, known as Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH).
“This follows the announcement on October 5, 2022, of the Scottish Government’s decision to terminate Serco’s Franchise Agreement on June 25, 2023.
“Over the coming months, Serco will work closely with the Scottish Government to ensure a smooth and successful transition of the ongoing operations and management of Caledonian Sleeper to the new public body operator.
“Caledonian Sleeper’s services will continue to operate as normal and guests will be able to experience the excellent service that our dedicated on-board teams are recognised for delivering.”