Written Question · S4W-21843 · Session 4
further to the answer to question S4W-21653 by Keith Brown on 17 June 2014, what it means by “generally unregulated” and whether the new C…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-21653 by Keith Brown on 17 June 2014, what it means by “generally unregulated” and whether the new Caledonian sleeper franchisee will be allowed to increase fares above inflation.
The answer
“Generally unregulated” means generally, or mostly, not subject to regulation or control by government. The Caledonian Sleeper service carries two types of passenger groups:
1) passengers in accommodation other than seated (the majority of passengers) and
2) seated passengers.
Fares for group 1 are not regulated by the Scottish Government and the fares are currently set at the discretion of the franchisee in a manner to attract passengers in a competitive market. This will continue when the new franchise starts on 1 April 2015.
Fares for group 2 are more complicated. Seated fares for journeys wholly within Scotland are subject to the same regulation by the Scottish Government as the ScotRail franchise. This regulation limits annual increases to RPI for peak fares and RPI -1% for off peak fares for the following standard class ticket types :
Season;
Anytime Single/Return
Anytime Day Single/Return;
Off-Peak Single/Return; and
Off-Peak Day Single/Return
Cross-Border ‘Interavailable’ tickets (i.e. tickets which may be used on more than one train operating company) may be used on the sleeper, and the regulation of these fares is currently a matter for the UK Department of Transport.
1) passengers in accommodation other than seated (the majority of passengers) and
2) seated passengers.
Fares for group 1 are not regulated by the Scottish Government and the fares are currently set at the discretion of the franchisee in a manner to attract passengers in a competitive market. This will continue when the new franchise starts on 1 April 2015.
Fares for group 2 are more complicated. Seated fares for journeys wholly within Scotland are subject to the same regulation by the Scottish Government as the ScotRail franchise. This regulation limits annual increases to RPI for peak fares and RPI -1% for off peak fares for the following standard class ticket types :
Season;
Anytime Single/Return
Anytime Day Single/Return;
Off-Peak Single/Return; and
Off-Peak Day Single/Return
Cross-Border ‘Interavailable’ tickets (i.e. tickets which may be used on more than one train operating company) may be used on the sleeper, and the regulation of these fares is currently a matter for the UK Department of Transport.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-21843 by reference.