Scotland’s sleeper trains are now being operated under public ownership.

The service, previously run by Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited, will now be operated by the Scottish Government going forward.

Transport minister Fiona Hyslop said: “Today sees the start of a new era for the Caledonian Sleeper as the services come into public ownership, in line with our operator of last resort duty.

“The decision to mobilise operator of Last Resort arrangements, announced to parliament earlier this year, followed an extensive review and consideration of the options available to provide Caledonian Sleeper services beyond June this year, when the current franchise expires.

“This review was conducted against the background of substantial uncertainty regarding future market conditions and the pace and impact of the UK Government’s rail reform process.”

Previous Caledonian Sleeper staff are to be kept on, with Ms Hyslop stating: “I give my reassurances that there is a continued role for them to play in the future success of the service.”

She added: “In recent years, the Caledonian Sleeper has flourished, with increasing numbers of people using its unique journey opportunities.

“The service plays an important role in showcasing the best of Scotland and I look forward to building on that success in the years to come.”

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) stated it marks a “new beginning” for the service.

The union previously campaigned for the sleeper service to be taken into public ownership, stating it was poorly handled when it was privately held.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “With all of its rail passenger services now in public ownership, the Scottish Government needs to commence the long-awaited national conversation on rail without delay.

“At the heart of this must be investment in expanding and improving services, ruling out cuts to ticket offices and properly staffing Scotland’s railway to make it accessible for all.”

The night of June 23 saw the last Caledonian Sleeper services run under Serco’s management, when the Caledonian Sleeper franchise expires almost eight years and three months since Serco’s inaugural service departed from Fort William on March 31 2015.

John Whitehurst, managing director of Serco’s transport business, said: “We are immensely proud of everything that we have achieved since we were awarded the contract to run the Caledonian Sleeper in 2014.

“During the eight years since Serco’s inaugural services departed, we have brought about massive improvements to every aspect of the service for our employees, our passengers and for Scotland, despite having made significant losses on the contract.

“These improvements have been an extraordinary achievement by everyone involved in running the service and we are grateful to everyone for their hard work, and we wish them all good luck and a great future.

“We hand the Caledonian Sleeper over to the Scottish Government in great shape, secure in the knowledge that this is now a world class service that represents the best of Scotland.”