Recent content by Bassman

I agree with comments about the seating. I took the London-Glasgow option recently (as shorter time) in the seats but would never do again. The overnight coach has more comfortable seats. This Wednesday evening I took the berth option London to Inverness. Overall reasonably happy ( apart from...

Yes i read that Doesn't alter the fact that the reputation suffers and ripples on! The close availability of toilets is very important, particularly for those with special needs. And so I would expect mitigation by staff on the train to offer berths and from Serco for compensation. However It...

Another bit of bad publicity! What is wrong with providing working toilets? https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/blind-caledonian-sleeper-passenger-suffers-toilets-nightmare-on-edinburgh-trip-1-5069160

Today travelling south on the Highland Chieftain Azuma, and a bit disappointed. The last week or so, travelled by a 170, 158, refurbished inter7city and now Azuma. My favourite the refurbished HST by a long way. Internally I reckon a very good job and inside as modern and have more comfortable...

Medium to long term Tax air travel .. commeasurate with carbon footprint. Market sleeper trains as efficient eco friendly travel Augment sleeper with couchette coaches at fair competitive price. Alter timetables for simpler direct running, between cities using overnight more effectively.

Yes Abellio not the cheapest granted, but still a 'cheap' option compared to needs of the system and quite imaginative - full credit to Abellio for the Inter7City concept. Are ScotGov being ambitious and farsighted with a long term eco-friendly plan, or bending to media and populist...

I frequently travel between the Highlands and London. I have limited means and I would prefer to travel by train, an Eco-friendly mode of travel. I am happy for some folk to have an experience of luxury, but as a normal rail passenger I would like the choice to use the sleeper for overnight...

Underlying poor long term investment in Scottish railways and particularly the North. ScotGov, and Transport Scotland supported the Abellio franchise as a 'cheap' way to enhance intercity travel. Now distancing, for political and money reasons. leaving even more instability and confidence in...

There are certainly aspects of their competence which deserve criticism. Nevertheless as has been expressed on this thread the failure can be shared around to many other factors e.g. Network Rail . They do run Dutch railways and others internationally, so they are engaged with good knowledge...

Further to ScotGov's end to Abelio's franchise and de-stabilising the Inter7City HST project etc. The fiasco of the Calmac procurement and today Jim MacColls advice to start again on ferries, as huge losses build up...The ongoing saga of poor quality in SERCO's sleeper service. Does this not...

Yes fair point about different budgets. Nevertheless a worrying sign when we supposedly face a 'climate emergency' and investment in rail and intercity services should feature highly. Abelio have given us the development of national HST intercity services and indicated there are going to be...

The reason for the ditching Abellio was articulated in parliament today as a forecast of an increase in the government subsidy. Hence we can presume Scot Gov is looking for a way out of reducing subsidies on rail. This will affect HST replacement and perhaps electrification or limit the scope...

Irrespective of judging the seriousness or otherwise of complaints, I compare this customer service with Airbnb. As a user of Airbnb and letting out an apartment, on two occasions over the summer I had to deal with issues. Their support is immediate and response is within an hour, with follow up...

Scottish Government moving to end the Abellio franchise early. Readers of this thread will know the complexities of blame, which is not being attributed as a reason for this political change. But easy for Government to bow to political pressure. It must be frustrating for those who have...

Shocking experience for one customer. The cost exorbitant for an essential train service! Forget this hotel nonsense! Why cannot Scottish Govt., Transport Scotland and Serco not concentrate on an essential service of connection with robustness in management at all levels. Expect Scottish...