All rights reserved. Call the guest centre for further information regarding further assisting the dogs comforts. The decision was taken when Serco attempted to renegotiate the agreement through a rebase clause, to ensure the loss-making service was on a more sustainable financial footing. Where does the Caledonian Sleeper train go? for about 20 minutes before we heard the announcement called. Towels are provided in sleeper car rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper. I would like to make it very clear that the Caledonian Sleeper staff will transfer to the Scottish government-owned entity, with their terms and conditions protected.. Heres everything you need to know about booking and travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper. Though we have travelled on this service on numerous occasions this was our first time travelling on the new and updated sleeper service in January 2020. More information on how we process your information can be found in our Privacy Policy. John Whitehurst, managing director of Serco's transport business, said the company was disappointed that the Scottish government "did not ensure value for money by examining the possibility of a direct contract award to Serco". To get from London to Glasgow is either a 7-8 hour car journey (depending on traffic), a flight away, or a 4 and a half day train journey. The sleeper service will be the second rail operation to be taken into state hands in Scotland in recent times. Did I sleep? The toilet was a couple of doors down from us and pretty similar to your typical plane or train facilities. Scotland's Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth has confirmed that Caledonian Sleeper services will be taken over by the Scottish Government once Serco's current franchise expires on 25 June 2023. The routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh are too short to fully enjoy. The inspector told us to walk down the platform to our carriage where a colleague would check us in, and give us keycards for the room and a menu for our breakfast orders. Reviewed 5 February 2018 via mobile. Rail Passenger Rights Service Quality Report. If it isnt clear no you dont need to change trains if youre travelling past Edinburgh or Glasgow (e.g. They write: "Britrail / Inter-Rail / Eurail / FIP Coupons will need to be valid on the date you arrive in your destination but not necessarily on the date you join the train for departures before midnight.". If we were riding this train though, and were not going to get a room, wed probably opt for one of the day trains from London, which would be faster and cheaper than riding in the Comfort Seats. Unsubscribe at any time. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Caledonian Sleeper - Staff Travel Tickets. We were surprised to know that we could board the Caledonian Sleeper quite early before our train departed. The current fleet of trains, launched in the Eighties to transport people between London and Scotland overnight, has undergone a . March 2, 2023. In 2019, Serco put an improvement plan in place after the service was hit by strike action, technical faults and the late delivery of new trains. The bed was comfortable and cosy. I booked it today after 3 members of staff at a booking office persevered! So, book it if youre interested in the experience of sleeper train travel from England to Scotland. The back of the door at a floor-to-ceiling mirror which gave the illusion of more space in the room. The Caledonian Sleeper is to be taken into public hands in June, transport minister Jenny Gilruth has confirmed to MSPs. Theres an option to add a bike when you book your ticket. Friday 4, Sunday 6 and Tuesday 8 November Some services will arrive at the destination later than usual with services to Aberdeen / Inverness / Fort William . Alternatively, you can use a valid National Rail ticket provided you also have a reservation to travel on the Caledonian Sleeper. He added: Most importantly, this would have allowed the Scottish government to compare the price of such an award with that of their arms length operator of last resort company.. 27 Eco-Friendly Travel Products You Need For Your Packing List. The service, which has been operating in various forms since 1873, runs overnight trains between Scotland and London. You will not need to bring your own towels to utilize the shower facilities while riding. For other queries, you should find the information on our website, or you can e-mail us . 2 March 2023. Customer assist is not compulsory but is recommended for peace of mind. I was looking at the Staff T&Cs for travel on the Sleeper, and the RDG website tells me only to book First Class (single occupancy birth and what not) only if I have the First Class entitlement. Ms Gilruth said the decision not to rebase was "in no way a reflection on the quality of the product that has been developed, nor on the commitment of the staff who deliver this service every day". Rail Staff Travel, PO Box 72071, London EC1P 1JD. Travelling by Caledonian Sleeper, the lucky winner will be based in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, for two nights with a [], Guest Service Centre Our Guest Service Centre is here to help our guests every step of the way and weve extended the opening times of our Social Media and Live Chat team to be on hand when you need them. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The move comes after ministers decided last year to terminate Serco's contract to run the service seven years early. It was taken after Serco tried to renegotiate this agreement using a rebase clause, which allowed the firm to put forth alternative financial arrangements before the government for the franchises remaining years. Serco had its licence to operate the overnight cross-border rail link terminated early by MSPs last year after the firm attempted to renegotiate its contract. Before we could board, we had to join a queue which was absolutely huge. Hello, the trains that go long distances are almost always, I love your website an YouTube videos. However the booking system is changing next year. I have subscribed. Mr Simpson also said Ms Gilruth had given no idea of how much the nationalisation would cost, or how Scottish taxpayers would receive value for money from the move. Narrow was a theme that carried right through to our room. To mark our new trains and a new era in rail travel, we commissioned a series of posters to commemorate the long history of the service. Theyre often considered a more romantic way to travel, offering luxury, glamour and leisure. For more information, please read ourprivacy policy. Not a bad compromise. The train starts boarding around 8:30. We were keen to try the cheeseboard, but it was sold out sadly! I should add that I didnt actually book the tickets myself. The other one is the Night Riviera Sleeper from London to Penzance! All Caledonian sleeper tickets need to be valid on the ARRIVAL date of your end destination station not necessarily on the date you leave starting point train station. Therefore, the Scottish Government chose Serco Transport to procure and develop a modern, market-driven concept developed for both business and private travellers and tourists. OUR VIEW Using the fixed tickets suited our needs best of all, knowing with our research and itinerary planning exactly when and how we planned to travel we could manage our travel cost better throughout. Receive the latest tours, offers, and inspirational travel content right in your inbox. Ticket name. Home to many a lively ceilidh where the celebrated local malt is the toast of the guests Fort William is an idyllic escape from the rat race. The staff travel restriction for Winter 2017/18 don't mention any changes to berth/seat types - as you would expect, they do specifically say: The current 1st class only option of single use of a cabin will be the only option available to solo travellers so keeping this as 1st Class would mean that only couples could travel Std. The only downside is you dont have much space in your room and theres nowhere else to go. This service runs on the West Coast Main railway line from London Euston to 5 Scottish locations on the Northbound services with Southbound services running in the opposite direction. No spam, just awesome travel content. Looking for more Scotland travel tips? Booth seating options and swivel chair options available. Our train was due to depart from London Euston at 21:15 so we got there an hour before. Unlike some countries, they do not expect a financial tip at the end of the service. These include train failure . The Scottish government announced last year an offer to rebase the Serco contract did not represent value for money. So if London's calling you this summer, wherever you're travelling from in Scotland, we'll help you get there . From outside the UK, call us on: +44 20 7841 8274. Today is has been announced that the Scottish Government have decided to appoint a public body to manage and operate Caledonian Sleeper, known as Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH). Caledonian Sleeper 2023. of stunning coastal scenery, the North Coast 500 (NC500) naturally follows the rugged coastal edges of the North Highlands one of Scotlands best-kept [], We have been looking at ways to make our service more sustainable and we are constantly working with our partners to help reduce our carbon footprint. Its northernmost station is Inverness. Breakfast is NOT included but can be purchased. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union, which represents many Sleeper staff, renewed its call for nationalisation on Friday after the impending statement was announced. For full information, please see my disclaimer here. The seating configuration is the same as conventional UK First class seating carriages with 2 -1 seats in an airline type set up. The Caledonian Sleeper services will be provided by the Scottish government from the expiry of the current Caledonian Sleeper franchise on June 25, 2023. . Click to book your Caledonian Sleeper train tickets. 5. Even if you know the number of the coach your seat/berth is in sometimes it is still not the easiest thing to find. No spam, just awesome sustainable travel content! Can you take dogs on the Caledonian Sleeper? All in all a very easy, and fun way to travel from Edinburgh to London and you arrive smack bang in the middle of London so no transfers required in from Heathrow either . View the latest recommended public transport travel guidelines from the UK Government and Scottish Government. dram of malt whisky in the Club Car. You will find inspiration, tips and resources to help you make the most of your travels whether you are a first time visitor or a UK resident wanting to see more of what England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have to offer. A senior union source said . Scottish Conservative transport spokesperson Graham Simpson criticised the decision and said: The minister agreed that the sleeper has surpassed any other train company in the UK in its recovery from the pandemic and was thriving and a world class service. Rooms / seats are available 30-45 minutes before departure. Watching the sunrise over the passing hills was one of the highlights of my trip. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My mission is to show you why sustainable travel is empowering, fulfilling and affordable. Let them know ahead of time if youre travelling with an assistance dog. Read about our approach to external linking. The Club Car has a range of different seating types from booths to small tables. She added: "Rather, the decision that I had to take on rebasing was a question of the terms of the rebase offer and that, in the government's view, these terms did not represent the best value for money.". The Glencraft mattresses were nice and firm too. 5 Of The Best Cycling Routes In Scotland For Epic Views, Complete Scotland Packing List: What To Wear For Every Season, 9 Best Scotland Small Group Tours You Need To Book (2022), Isle of Skye 2 Day Itinerary: Amazing Things To Do, 12 BEST Day Hikes In Scotland You Need To Experience, The Best Cyprus Itinerary for a Long Weekend (Or More!). However, they may travel in the seated accommodation on the legs of the journey between Fort William and Edinburgh and vice versa, and Kingussie and Inverness where the sleeper train forms a day service (reservations are not required). - My 10 key tips for being a sustainable traveller, -Monthly newsletter featuring all the latest blog postsand news. Rather than a train getting you from A to B, this sleeper train is part of the experience of travel. Required fields are marked *. The shower is integrated into the bathroom, so youll flip the toilet seat cover down and it then doubles as a bench for the shower. For a return, the price is simply two singles. It has been announced today that the Caledonian Sleeper service will move into public hands.
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