Caledonian Sleeper

Serco, who manage the Docklands Light Railway on behalf of Transport for London, has won a 15-year contract to run the Caledonian Sleeper train service between London and Scotland.  The train is currently operated by First Group who last week lost the London Thameslink contract. (See BTN26 May)

From April 2015, Serco will be responsible for operating all aspects of the company including marketing, sales, passenger services, station facilities and fleet maintenance.  Serco is promising improvements including en-suite berths, "pod flatbeds" and a brasserie-style club car.  The rolling stock will be built by the Spanish railway car constructor CAF, which was also responsible for Edinburgh's new trams.

The Caledonian operates nightly both ways London Euston – Edinburgh, the link for Aberdeen, Fort William, Inverness and Glasgow.

Serco said there will also be investment in a new website with a broader range of fares, earlier boarding of the trains and the ability for travellers to manage their journey virtually.

Serco, which runs outsourced services in more than 30 countries including air traffic control, prisons, and back-office support, was banned from competing for Government contracts due to the overcharging scandal although this was lifted earlier this year.  www.serco.com

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