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The CEO of Eurotunnel has promised that Cologne, Frankfurt, and Geneva will be displayed on the train departure boards from London by 2030.
The CEO of Getlink’s parent company, Yann Leriche, predicts that there will be new competitors to Eurostar and an increase in the number of direct rail routes from the UK.
Eurotunnel manages the infrastructure connecting Folkestone and Calais. They currently operate LeShuttle, a car-carrying service, and also allow trains carrying trucks to pass through. Freight trains and Eurostar passenger trains must pay a fee to use the tunnel. Eurotunnel charges €20 (£17) for each passenger on Eurostar trains.
The Channel Tunnel first began operating for passenger trains in November 1994. For the past 29 years, Eurostar has been the sole provider in this market. It currently offers routes from London St Pancras International to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
Prior to the 30th anniversary of Eurotunnel, Mr. Leriche stated at a gathering that the tunnel has room for additional operators. He also mentioned that new rail connections would enhance “low-carbon mobility” between the UK and Continental Europe.
Raising the amount of passengers will greatly increase the income of Eurotunnel.
Amsterdam, Dublin, and Paris.
The company plans to allocate €50m (£42m) towards providing financial support for new participants in the time period of 2025 to 2030. The focus is on selecting cities with a significant established aviation presence from the UK, which are also reachable by direct train from London within four hours. The top three cities being considered are Amsterdam, Dublin, and Paris.
- Cologne (4h)
- Frankfurt (5h)
- Geneva (5h30)
A connection between Basel and Zurich, two cities in Switzerland, is considered feasible.
According to Mr. Leriche, the route network will be expanded by cutting the “time to market” in half, from 10 years to five years.
“He stated that the necessary preparations have been completed for the launch of a new rail service.”
Eurotunnel collaborated with train producers and railway organizations to establish a common standard for new trains that adheres to the rigorous regulations of the Channel Tunnel.
Currently, approximately 12 trains are using the tunnel every hour. There is potential to increase this number to 16 or more. However, High Speed 1 (HS1), the connection between London and the entrance of the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone, is currently operating at less than 50% of its potential capacity.
One of the biggest obstacles for new participants is likely to be finding available space at stations.
According to Nicky Gardner, one of the co-editors of Europe by Rail, the issue goes beyond just having enough room for the trains to stop. It also involves finding adequate space for overnight parking and maintenance, as well as accommodating passengers arriving and departing.
Prior to departure, all passengers are required to complete British and French border protocols and undergo a security screening at the departure station.
The international departure terminal at London St Pancras is currently at maximum capacity, and Eurostar is required to limit the amount of passengers on certain high-demand services.
However, according to Mr. Leriche’s statement to The Independent, we are currently collaborating with our colleagues, particularly HS1. I am unable to speak on their behalf, but we are actively seeking to provide space at St Pancras for new participants.
“We have room and opportunity, and we are actively collaborating and having discussions with them on that matter.”
An official from HS1 Ltd, the company in charge of London St Pancras, stated that expanding services would lead to substantial advantages for the economy and the environment.
“We are currently in the process of planning to increase capacity at St Pancras when the timing is appropriate. Utilizing technology and adapting our operations are both key factors in achieving this. We are currently testing new, innovative technology to improve capacity and enhance the overall passenger experience.”
“In the future, St Pancras Station, a historical landmark that is 150 years old and has a grade 1 listing, will need extensive maintenance to accommodate the increasing number of passengers.”
German Railways has previously declared intentions to rival Eurostar. In 2013, they operated a high-speed train to St Pancras in order to advertise future connections to Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam.
However, due to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit in 2018, the project was put on hold.
Evolyn, a newcomer, plans to launch rail services across the English Channel by 2025. The company has stated that it has the support of significant British and French industrial and financial collaborators.
Eurostar provides links from London to Brussels for their own trains going to Cologne. The train company chose not to respond to the announcement made by Eurotunnel.
Source: independent.co.uk
