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THE Caledonian Sleeper rail service has returned to public ownership after almost three decades in private hands.
It was the final railway service in Scotland to remain in private operation, but outsourcing giant Serco, which ran the service for the last eight years, officially handed over the reins to Scottish Rail Holdings today.
While the service, in operation since 1873, is seen as historic, it is widely understood to being key to the future of the railway as an alternative to short-haul flights.
The Scottish Greens hailed the shift to public ownership as an opportunity to “wean people from planes to trains.”
Transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: “With transport remaining Scotland’s largest source of emissions, we need to get on board with the change and ensure that we are not left behind.
“We now need to ensure that it is a low-cost option, competitive with aviation, and can get people from Inverness to Paris, Edinburgh to Brussels, Glasgow to Amsterdam, and beyond.”
SNP’s newly appointed Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop called it the “start of a new era,” saying: “It is fitting that we recognise the successes of the staff and management at the Caledonian Sleeper who have transformed this service, and who will remain as valued members of the team.
“I give my reassurances that there is a continued role for them to play in the future success of the service.”
RMT’s Mick Lynch welcomed the move, but laid down a challenge, saying: “With all of its rail passenger services now in public ownership, the Scottish government needs to commence the long-awaited national conversation on rail without delay.
“At the heart of this must be investment in expanding and improving services, ruling out cuts to ticket offices and properly staffing Scotland’s railway to make it accessible for all.”
Scottish Labour’s Richard Leonard told the Star: “This is a day to celebrate.
“Not only has Serco been removed but this iconic service is back in public ownership.
“This is a result of a hard-fought campaign by the RMT to which I was pleased to lend my support.”
