Caledonian sleeper boss addresses anti-trans concerns that ‘predatory’ men could identify as women to gain access to cabins
The boss of the Caledonian Sleeper rail service has responded to anti-trans ‘fears’ that ‘predatory’ men could identify as women to gain access to cabins.
Mr Soames is the boss of the Caledonian Sleeper offers a “share with a stranger” option, in which travellers can book a male-only or female-only two-berth cabin with space for two sleepers.
And in light of a Mumsnet thread in which a user shared that trans people would be able to book the sleeper option, Mr Soames responded to comments that ‘predatory’ men identifying as women could access to cabs to potentially assault cis women.
Although guidelines on the train service’s website read that “the service is provided on the basis of the gender that the individual self-identifies with,” Soames decided to clarify the train’s position saying that “people may say that they are a woman when they are in fact a man.”
(Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
“I think you are referring to the possibility that people may say they are a woman when in fact they are a man,” said Soames on Twitter.
“Fortunately people who travel on [the Caledonian Sleeper] are not deceitful. Never been a problem in past.”
“Staff are very attentive and watchful; all cabins have call buttons; if a single woman was uncomfortable with the other person they would be moved to another cabin. As I say, this has never to my knowledge been a problem in the past.”
“At Caledonian Sleeper we want all our Guests to feel safe. If anyone for any reason whatsoever is concerned regarding their safety then we encourage you to speak to an on board member of staff who will do their best to re-accommodate you if space permits,” read the company’s Twitter account.
Boss of the company Soames is also the great-grandson of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Serco have commented that the chance to share a sleeper cabin with a stranger would be phased out in the Autumn when the new trains would be updated.
