Termination of the Serco Caledonian Sleeper Franchise

That the Parliament notes with concern that what it sees as the ongoing mismanagement of the Serco Caledonian Sleeper Franchise has led to a late roll out of new stock, delays to train services and declining passenger satisfaction; understands that, in the year ending 31 March 2019, the company received £23 million in franchise payments from Transport Scotland; further understands that, from 1 April 2020, the franchise agreement requires Transport Scotland to bear 50% of contract losses; regrets that the company has so far failed to rectify the working practices that it considers have led to widespread stress among staff; supports the campaign by the RMT Union to take the franchise into public ownership, and calls on the Scottish Government to do so without delay.