Services that would be better suited with other TOCs

[Clansman]

Hmm...as a former Sleeper employee, I'd dispute that, although splitting the franchise has been far more complex than anyone thought.

The biggest problem with ScotRail running the Sleepers was that they were always regarded as a marginal part of the business and they didn't get much investment or attention from management. There was no guaranteed future for the services, and the rolling stock was allowed to deteriorate into really awful condition before it got handed over to CS.

CS have achieved a lot, but had a very hard time in early days. I think the staff on the trains are fantastic, and the new rolling stock is going to be transformational. It's a very challenging operation for such a small TOC, though, and splitting it off has caused problems that probably would have been easier for the much bigger ScotRail to solve.

The biggest criticism I have is that the whole 'premium-isation' of the service has led to a down fall in the on board atmosphere. It's lost that conviviality it once had. Probably (most definitely) due to the rising prices and the ceasing of the bargain berth scheme. Don't get me wrong, the investment that's going into the service is brilliant and much needed, but it's 'just not the same' experience as it once was.

A loss making service, let alone a Sleeper service, was never going to pan out amazingly in its own franchise.

 

[Clansman]

deleted - wrong thread