Sleeper train from Penzance to capital is saved
London Editor
The vital London to Penzance "sleeper" train service is safe for at least 15 years, the Government has told the Western Morning News.
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Rail Minister Theresa Villiers has allayed fears the overnight service would be scrapped by revealing it will be included in the new Great Western franchise.
Campaigners feared a repeat of controversy in 2006 when the "night riviera" service narrowly escaped the axe.
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Ms Villiers acknowledged the sleeper is vital to business commuters spending a full working day in the capital.
She told the WMN: "I am delighted to be able to announce that the Paddington to Penzance sleeper service will be included in the new franchise agreements. I know how important the sleeper is for the economy of Cornwall and Devon, a point made strongly to me by local MPs."
Whichever company secures the Great Western deal after it expires next year will have to lay on a sleeper even if it is loss-making.
Westcountry MPs lobbied ministers to press the case to preserve the service after indications in a consultation document that its future was at risk.
George Eustice, Conservative MP for Camborne and Redruth, said: "The announcement by the Government that they will keep the sleeper service is excellent news and the right decision.
"The 'night riviera' is the best way to travel between Cornwall and London and is an essential link for Cornish businesses.
"Now that there is some certainty about the future, it will be possible to consider refurbishment of the carriages to upgrade the service."
The link is one of only two sleepers in the UK and stops at most mainline stations in the region. Leaving the capital at 11.45pm, the train, which includes one and two-bed compartments, arrives in Plymouth at 4.02am and Penzance at 7.53am. In the other direction, it gets into Paddington before 5.30am.
After train operator First exercised a break clause in the contract, the franchise will be put out to tender this year, with the new operator taking charge of services throughout the South West from April.
The sleeper commitment represents the first demand the Government will make of bidders when it tenders the 15-year contract.
Ms Villiers has been in Cornwall this week on a whistle-stop tour, accompanied by Conservative MPs Mr Eustice, Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) and Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall).
She said: "During my visit to Cornwall, I heard a range of ideas on how services could be improved and many people welcomed the additional capacity delivered to the Great Western franchise."
Firms pay the Government to run the franchise and pocket fares in return. First, Arriva, Stagecoach and National Express are the firms on the shortlist.
Comments
by nick113
Monday, June 11 2012, 12:56PM
“It's not "one of only two" sleeper trains. There are two services leaving Euston for Scotland every night. One serves Glasgow and Edinburgh, the other has sections for Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen.”
by Mice470
Monday, June 11 2012, 11:23AM
“I am sure that it could be made more profitable if instead of cutting the number of coaches they were increased. I find it is frequently fully booked.”
by nickthompson
Saturday, June 09 2012, 12:21PM
“Bristol Parkway to Reading (73 miles) £40 return after 09.00---------£140 return before 09.00, so it's the car for me then.”
by HannahJones
Saturday, June 09 2012, 11:12AM
“At what price I wonder? This time last year I bought a return to London and managed to find the whole trip for about £45. This year, the absolute cheapest I can find - travelling off peak, booking in advance etc - is £75.
I would LOVE the travel by train more often, believe me, but certainly not at those prices.”
by Andrewroden
Saturday, June 09 2012, 10:32AM
“As joint chairman of 2005's Save our Sleeper campaign, what fantastic news this is. Back then we warned of the fragility of our air services (which has been borne out) and the 'Night Riviera' is both well used and profitable now. The credit for that must go to the Penzance based train crew who make travelling on the train such a wonderful experience.
If you need to get to London early for a flight, meeting or an onward connection - or if you need to get to Devon or Cornwall from the capital late at night, I urge you to check out the 'Night Riviera'. As the slogan doesn't quite put it, often, it's cheaper by sleeper. And always a pleasure.
Andrew Roden,
Joint Chairman, Save Our Sleeper
Www.andrewroden.com”