SERCO GROUP PLC
The website for the new Caledonian Sleeper service, sleeper.scot launches today, allowing customers to book the overnight Sleeper services linking Scotland and London Euston from 1 April 2015. The new website allows customers to book up to 12 months in advance of their travel date - a first for any UK rail operator.
As part of the launch, a White Stag was also unveiled as the brand icon for the new Sleeper service, in the first of a series of improvements in preparation for the start of the new service on 1 April 2015.
The new Sleeper brand features a White Stag and will be seen online, across marketing materials, uniforms and onboard the trains. Intrinsically linked to Scotland, this almost mythical creature will act as an icon, helping customers to rediscover a national treasure that is the Caledonian Sleeper.
The stag is already synonymous with the Fort William to London route, known to many as the Deerstalker. The new Caledonian Sleeper White Stag has a strong contemporary look with its five point antlers representing the three Highland and two Lowland destinations.
Plans to transform the Caledonian Sleeper service into an outstanding hospitality offering that is emblematic of the best of Scotland are well underway. This includes all aspects of the operation of the Caledonian Sleeper franchise; marketing, sales, hospitality service on the trains, vehicle maintenance and the provision of facilities at stations for guests.
The new Caledonian Sleeper is using Scottish boutique suppliers - including award-winning Glasgow fashion designer ten30 for the uniforms and Aberdeen social enterprise Glencraft for beds. Edinburgh- based interior designer Ian Smith will transform the new Guest Services Centre in Inverness and the interiors of the new trains, which will be introduced into service from 2018.
Peter Strachan, Serco's Managing Director for the new Caledonian Sleeper, said: "Our new booking and reservation system, sleeper.scot allows passengers to plan and book their travel up to 12 months in advance, a first for any UK rail operator. This marks the first in a series of improvements we are introducing to the iconic Sleeper service. We are really proud of the bold new brand we have created and believe it will
help us develop a truly iconic international service and attract new customers from the UK and abroad. The
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White Stag symbolises fresh adventures and coming change, which is what people can expect from the
Caledonian Sleeper as it is transformed over the coming years.
"The new Caledonian Sleeper service will provide a great alternative to other rail options and flying for UK travel. After a relaxing night on board, sleeping while on the move, our guests will arrive at their destination first thing in the morning refreshed and ready to go."
Customers will start seeing an improved service soon after the 1 April, with new menus, soft furnishings and comforts. In 2018 a new fleet will launch, with a range of new features, including ensuite berths, Pod
flatbeds and a brasserie-style Club Car. Over £100m is being invested in the new fleet which is part funded by a £60m capital grant from Scottish Ministers and will be built by leading rolling stock manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF).
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: "The Caledonian Sleeper is a cherished icon of Scotland's railways and it is fitting that a contemporary image of the Scottish stag is chosen to be the new emblem as this service embarks upon a transformation for the future.
"Existing passengers and newcomers to the Sleeper experience can now book up to enjoy all that the new service will have to offer when it launches in the Spring. I am excited to see how the service will develop and how that will continue to benefit Scotland in the form of additional tourism, business travel and inward investment as well as fun holiday opportunities."
For more information about the Caledonian Sleeper visit sleeper.scot
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Manjeet Turner
Tel: 0771 819 5320 and Email: manjeet.turner@serco.com
Charles Carr
Tel: 0771 819 4381 and Email: charles.carr@serco.com
Notes to Editors:
1. For anyone wishing to book the Sleeper service for travel before 31st March, bookings are being taken as normal at ScotRail.co.uk/sleeper
2. The 15-year franchise begins in April 2015 and will see Serco manage all aspects of the Sleeper service including marketing, sales, the on-train hospitality service, vehicle maintenance and the
provision of facilities at stations for Sleeper passengers.
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3. The franchise has been split from the main ScotRail franchise to meet Transport Scotland's vision of transforming the Sleeper service into a truly emblematic and guest focused service for passengers travelling between Scotland and England.
4. Around 270,000 journeys were made on the Sleeper service in the last full year.
5. The current ScotRail franchise, including operation of the Caledonian Sleeper, was awarded to
FirstGroup plc, operating as First ScotRail Limited, in August 2004 and continues until March 2015.
6. Serco is already one of Scotland's largest employers with 3,000 employees working to provide a range of services, including: NorthLink Ferries connecting the Scottish mainland to the Shetland Islands and Orkney islands; the management of Scatsta Airport; facilities management at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and Wishaw hospital; Customer Service Contract centres in Glasgow, Fort William and the provision of ICT and property services for Glasgow City Council (ACCESS).
Serco's transport business
Serco delivers innovative transport solutions, whether by air, road, water or rail, to public transport authorities, government departments and commercial enterprises around the world.
Our focus on operational efficiencies and improving sustainability support our customers in meeting their strategic aims and objectives. Serco's experience in providing a wide range of multi-modal transport solutions in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America enables us to tailor our services to meet the needs of a diverse travelling public. Our aim is to ensure that by delivering high-quality services, we can make a difference to people's journeys and lives.
Serco has a successful track record and compelling offer in both the UK and global light and heavy rail markets. We operate Northern Rail, the UK's largest passenger rail franchise, as well as Merseyrail with our joint venture partner Abellio.
Serco also operates NorthLink Ferries on behalf of the Scottish Government. The lifeline ferry service links the Orkney Islands and Shetland islands with the UK mainland. Since 2012, Serco has refurbished the three passenger vessels and improved the services with innovative Sleeping Pods, new showering facilities, refreshed menus using more local produce, and better onward public transport connections. Serco has also invested in a marketing campaign, including partnerships with Visit Scotland and local promotion bodies. Serco created a bold new brand for the service that is designed to excite tourists by using the Viking
heritage of the Northern Isles.
Since April 2014, Serco, together with its 50:50 Swedish joint venture (JV) partner Strömma Tourism &
Maritime, has operated one of Stockholm harbour's key ferry services on behalf of Stockholm County
Council and public ferry company, Waxholms Ångfartygs AB (WÅAB).
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In the Middle East we have been operating the driverless Dubai Metro system since its inception 2008 and have recently secured a five year extension to 2019. While in Australia, we own the Great Southern Rail (GSR) which operates tourist trains - the Indian Pacific, the Ghan and the Overlander. Serco also operates the iconic Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme in London on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) and the innovative scheme has seen over 26 million hires and been expanded across the city.
In the USA, Serco provides a bus transportation service to and from Washington Dulles International Airport for the US National Conservation Training Centre.
Serco is the only significant non-government provider of air traffic services in the world. We operate on a global basis and handle about six million aircraft movements each year at airports in Europe, the Middle East and North America on behalf of customers including the UK's Ministry of Defence, the US Federal Aviation Administration and the United Arab Emirates' Area Control Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Serco also recently secured a major US contract to integrate and operate the state of Virginia's five
transport operation centres and the contract to operate the Dubai Tramway system.
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