Travel

Caledonian Sleeper has cancelled scores of trains between Scotland and London due to technical issues following its £150m makeover


THE Caledonian Sleeper train has been forced to cancel more trains following technical difficulties – despite a £150m makeover.

The launch of the new trains has been marred with problems since its inaugural route in April this year, including cancellations, poor services and delays to the new carriages.

 The Caledonian Sleeper has faced a number of problems since launching

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The Caledonian Sleeper has faced a number of problems since launchingCredit: PA:Press Association

Cancelled trains

The train, which connects London to Scotland, first faced problems in June with a number of routes being cancelled.

From June 12 to June 20, trains were cancelled after the train sustained “wheel damage,” forcing many travellers to use coach services instead.

On June 12, passengers were woken up in Stafford at 5:45am and told they would need a bus to continue to Glasgow – another 260 miles away.

A train from Glasgow to London Euston on June 24 was cancelled as well.

Passengers due to travel on the train on June 21 faced more problems, when they were locked out of Waverly Station in Edinburgh.

According to the Scotsman, passengers were unable to get into the station earlier, despite being dropped off from Fort William due to a previous Caledonian Sleeper cancellation.

Edward Kellow posted a picture on Twitter, writing: “Locked out of Edinburgh Station.”

They were eventually put onto coaches, although passenger Pauline Grice tweeted: “The complete c*ckup continues. Rays coaches dropped us outside the Jury’s Inn but didn’t tell anyone to go there, instead opened luggage boot and everyone headed to Waverley, who weren’t expecting us. No-one answering video call.

There were also issues with passengers with dogs, after the driver refused them to board.

Poor services

Other problems on board have seen passengers complaining about a number of issues that hadn’t been resolved.

According to Business Traveller, this included a lack of water and poor water pressure, meaning the showers and toilets were unusable.

They also claimed that the bar was severely understaffed – taking over 20 minutes just to order.

Another passenger tweeted an image of the buttons being mislabelled, showing the window light and host call button the wrong way around.

 Passengers have also complained about poor services in the trains

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Passengers have also complained about poor services in the trainsCredit: JSHPIX.CO/ free to use images

Delayed new carriages

Many passengers have also been told that their journeys will now be on the older trains, not the newer, revamped carriages.

Twitter user Glen Moyer wrote: “Well this sucks. After all the pomp and circumstance, press junkets, etc. by @CalSleeper to announce their new trains I’ve received an email saying my trip in August will be on the old stock!

“Now weighing go ahead or change plans. #DisappointedToTheMax”

Another person remarked: “@CalSleeper received the note that your switching transport. we booked to go up for our wedding and honeymoon.

“What redress is available given the price difference (old stock vs new stock) and the inconvenience and upset you have caused? Emailed this but response time is 20BDs?!”

The new services to be rolled out to the Highlands, including Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William which was due to start in July, has been rolled to September.

Ryan Flaherty, Serco’s Managing Director at Caledonian Sleeper, said: “We are disappointed to be announcing this further delay, but it is undoubtedly the correct decision and will allow us to improve the reliability and resilience of the Lowlander fleet, and maintain capacity on the Highland route.”

He added: “Guests who have already booked to travel on a Highland service from 7/8 July onwards who still wish to travel and have booked one of our new accommodation options will be refunded the difference in cost; alternatively if they no longer wish to travel they will be offered a full refund or the opportunity to rebook at a later date.”

Caledonian Sleeper train from London to Scotland launches hotel-style rooms for passengers

The new fleet includes 75 new carriages, including en-suite bathrooms and double beds, with prices ranging from £45 to £335.

The route is meant to take just seven hours and 29 minutes from London to Edinburgh.

There is also good news for boozers – as passengers can drink on the Caledonian Sleeper, compared to other trains where it is banned.





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