Caledonian Sleeper

All change for the new Caledonian Sleeper
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date 31 March 2015
source Caledonian Sleeper
type Press release

First guests embark on inaugural journey from Fort William

Under embargo until 14:01 31 March 2015

The first guests will be welcomed on board the inaugural service of the new Caledonian Sleeper train franchise which is set to depart from Fort William this evening (31 March).

The new service will see the cross-border overnight service transformed into a world-class rail hospitality experience. Guests will enjoy a range of improvements on board, including a transformed menu showcasing the best of Scotland’s food and drink, comfortable soft furnishings and new Arran Aromatics sleep packs to aid relaxation and a good night’s sleep.

Marking the new franchise, Peter Strachan, Serco’s Managing Director for the Caledonian Sleeper, will unveil the distinctive new livery with its midnight teal base colour and distinctive white stag antler motif.

Guests boarding at Fort William station will be greeted by traditional Highland bagpipe music from Spud the Piper and Hosts wearing the striking new uniforms designed by Glasgow fashion label ten30. Further services will depart as scheduled from around the UK following the Fort William departure.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay said, “The new Caledonian Sleeper service promises to be so much more than a commuter rail trip. The exciting plans will see the journey become a tourism draw in itself, and to realise the Scottish Government’s ambition for the service to be emblematic of the best of Scotland.

“It won’t just be passengers who benefit. Small and medium-sized Scottish businesses up and down the country are involved in supplying the new service and staff will have the opportunity to receive qualification-level training.

“From today, passengers can immediately start to enjoy the new catering offering and hospitality-style service, and this kicks off the countdown to the £150 million fleet of new Sleeper trains due to arrive in 2018.”

Commenting on the inaugural scheduled journey to from Fort William to London Euston, Peter Strachan added, “This marks another exciting next stage in the transformation of the service and I plan to personally experience the inaugural journey alongside our first guests tomorrow night.

“We are looking forward to transforming the service into a world class hospitality experience and we will further enhance it ahead of the launch of the new fleet in 2018.”

Plans to transform the Caledonian Sleeper service into an outstanding hospitality offering that is emblematic of the best of Scotland are well underway. This includes all aspects of the operation of the Caledonian Sleeper franchise; marketing, sales, hospitality service on the trains, vehicle maintenance and the provision of facilities at stations for guests.

The new booking and reservation system, sleeper.scot allows passengers to plan and book their travel up to 12 months in advance, a first for any UK rail operator.

In 2018 a new fleet will launch, with a range of new features, including ensuite berths, Pod flatbeds and a brasserie-style Club Car. Over £150m is being invested in the new fleet which is part funded by a £60m capital grant from Scottish Ministers and will be built by leading rolling stock manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF).

They will offer four innovative ways to travel in comfort on the Sleeper service - Cradle Seats, Pod Flatbeds, Berths and En-Suite Berths, and will include a Brasserie style Club Car for dining.

For more information about the Caledonian Sleeper visit sleeper.scot

-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:
Eileen Clarke, 0141 333 0557 / 07827 949 569 / eclarke@webershandwick.com
Julie Brander, 01224 806 600 / 07770 886 932 / jbrander@webershandwick.com
Manjeet Turner 077181 95320 / Manjeet.turner@serco.com

Notes to Editors:
Images to follow later today.

1. The 15-year franchise from 31 March 2015 sees Serco manage all aspects of the Sleeper service including marketing, sales, the on-train hospitality service, vehicle maintenance and the provision of facilities at stations for Sleeper passengers.
2. The franchise has been split from the main ScotRail franchise to meet Transport Scotland’s vision of transforming the Sleeper service into a truly emblematic and guest focused service for passengers travelling between Scotland and England.
3. Around 270,000 journeys were made on the Sleeper service in the last full year.
4. Serco is already one of Scotland’s largest employers with 3,000 employees working to provide a range of services, including: NorthLink Ferries connecting the Scottish mainland to the Shetland Islands and Orkney islands; the management of Scatsta Airport; facilities management at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and Wishaw hospital; Customer Service Contract centres in Glasgow, Fort William and the provision of ICT and property services for Glasgow City Council (ACCESS).

Serco’s transport business
Serco delivers innovative transport solutions, whether by air, road, water or rail, to public transport authorities, government departments and commercial enterprises around the world.

Our focus on operational efficiencies and improving sustainability support our customers in meeting their strategic aims and objectives. Serco's experience in providing a wide range of multi-modal transport solutions in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America enables us to tailor our services to meet the needs of a diverse travelling public. Our aim is to ensure that by delivering high-quality services, we can make a difference to people's journeys and lives.

Serco has a successful track record and compelling offer in both the UK and global light and heavy rail markets. We operate Northern Rail, the UK's largest passenger rail franchise, as well as Merseyrail with our joint venture partner Abellio.

Serco also operates NorthLink Ferries on behalf of the Scottish Government. The lifeline ferry service links the Orkney Islands and Shetland islands with the UK mainland. Since 2012, Serco has refurbished the three passenger vessels and improved the services with innovative Sleeping Pods, new showering facilities, refreshed menus using more local produce, and better onward public transport connections. Serco has also invested in a marketing campaign, including partnerships with Visit Scotland and local promotion bodies. Serco created a bold new brand for the service that is designed to excite tourists by using the Viking heritage of the Northern Isles.

Since April 2014, Serco, together with its 50:50 Swedish joint venture (JV) partner Strömma Tourism & Maritime, has operated one of Stockholm harbour’s key ferry services on behalf of Stockholm County Council and public ferry company, Waxholms Ångfartygs AB (WÅAB).

In the Middle East we have been operating the driverless Dubai Metro system since its inception 2008 and have recently secured a five year extension to 2019. Serco also operates the iconic Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme in London on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) and the innovative scheme has seen over 26 million hires and been expanded across the city.

In the USA, Serco provides a bus transportation service to and from Washington Dulles International Airport for the US National Conservation Training Centre.

Serco is the only significant non-government provider of air traffic services in the world. We operate on a global basis and handle about six million aircraft movements each year at airports in Europe, the Middle East and North America on behalf of customers including the UK’s Ministry of Defence, the US Federal Aviation Administration and the United Arab Emirates’ Area Control Centre in Abu Dhabi.

Serco also recently secured a major US contract to integrate and operate the state of Virginia’s five transport operation centres and the contract to operate the Dubai Tramway system.

Railhub Archive ::: 2015-03-31 CAL-001