Caledonian Sleeper - Serco and the Caledonian Sleeper - (C)

Caledonian Sleeper - (C)

Serco and the Caledonian Sleeper

The Caledonian Sleeper

During 2012, the Scottish Government announced that as part of the reletting of the ScotRail franchise from April 2015, the Caledonian Sleeper would be operated by a separate franchise.

In June 2013, Transport Scotland announced Arriva, FirstGroup and Serco had been shortlisted to bid for the new franchise. During May 2014, the franchise was awarded to Serco; at the time, the company pledged to invest £100 million in new trains that would include 'en suite' rooms and a new style of club car.

Accordingly, the existing Mark 2 and Mark 3 coaching stock was to be replaced, originally set to occur by 2018. On 31 March 2015, Serco Caledonian Sleepers took over the operation of the service.

In late December 2015, staff called for a two-day strike because of health and safety concerns with the trains then in use and Serco's alleged failure to address them appropriately.

In September 2019, another three-day strike was held after negotiations between the RMT and Serco broke down over claims of poor staffing levels and insufficient training.

By mid-2020, the Caledonian Sleeper had considerably curtailed its services in response to the significant decline of passenger travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 15 June 2020, both passengers and staff on public transport in England, including on board the Caledonian Sleeper, were required to wear face coverings while travelling; anyone failing to do so was liable to be refused travel or fined.

In late 2021, the Caledonian Sleeper was subject to further strikes over allegations of bullying and harassment of staff. It is also one of many train operators impacted by the 2022–2023 United Kingdom railway strikes, which are the first national rail strikes in the UK for three decades.

Its workers are amongst those are participating in industrial action due to a dispute over pay and working conditions. Caledonian Sleeper trains have been cancelled on the days of the strikes.

In October 2022, the Scottish Government announced the franchise run by Serco would be terminated. The service was taken over by Scottish Rail Holdings on 25 June 2023.

Caledonian Sleeper Overview

Franchise(s):

Part of ScotRail (31 March 1997 – 30 March 2015)

Standalone franchise (31 March 2015 – present)

Main region(s):

West Coast Main Line

Edinburgh to Aberdeen Line

Highland Main Line

West Highland Line

Fleet Size: 75 Mark 5 carriages

Stations called at: 48

Parent Company: Scottish Rail Holdings

Reporting Mark: CS

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