Join Simon Calder’s complimentary travel newsletter for professional tips and cost-cutting deals.
Sign up for Simon Calder’s Travel newsletter.
The author of travel articles, Simon Calder, who is also referred to as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been contributing to The Independent since 1994. In his regular column, he delves into important topics in the world of travel and how they may impact readers.
The Eurostar terminal at London St Pancras International station is known for its impressive architecture and is often the starting point for exciting travels and happy reunions. However, on Saturday, there were tears of frustration as over 30,000 individuals discovered that their journeys were cancelled due to flooding on the High Speed 1 line, which runs under the Thames between Essex and Kent.
The Eurostar network originating from London has decreased in size as a result of the combined effects of Brexit and Covid. It now only serves Lille, Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. However, even with this limited reach, the St Pancras terminal sees a high volume of traffic, with over 30,000 individuals passing through on a typical day. This is equivalent to the number of passengers at popular airports like Luton or Edinburgh. In the event of a closure or flight cancellation at an airport due to a disaster, such as the car park fire at Luton in October, air travelers are entitled to extensive rights and benefits.
Although the carrier may not be at fault for the cancellation, they are still responsible for providing the passenger with strict and unlimited assistance. If an airline cancels a flight, they must make alternative travel arrangements for the passenger to reach their destination promptly. This may involve booking a flight with another carrier or using a different mode of transportation, such as Eurostar, even if it means incurring additional costs.
During the waiting period, the traveler is entitled to receive all meals and hotel accommodations, with no limit on the amount spent for a room. While every passenger desires a smooth journey to their destination, any disruptions to the flight will only result in emotional inconvenience, not financial expenses. In the event that the airline is responsible for any issues, the traveler may also be eligible to receive hundreds of pounds in compensation.
Eurostar operates differently. If you decide to use a different mode of transportation instead of waiting for an available train seat, the company will not reimburse the difference between the cost of your Eurostar ticket and the alternative flight or ferry. On New Year’s Eve, one-way fares from Paris to London can reach up to £700, resulting in a significant expense for the unlucky traveler.
Are you staying at a hotel? It depends on if you are considered to be “stranded”. A passenger originating from the UK who is stuck at a continental European station while trying to return home qualifies. But what about the other passengers I encountered at St Pancras – from Kent, Leicestershire, and Bristol? Could they request reimbursement for a hotel room in London while they wait an undetermined amount of time for their connecting train to Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam? Eurostar evaluates each claim individually. However, according to European air passenger rights regulations, which the UK adopted after Brexit, anyone who needs a hotel after a flight cancellation is entitled to one.
I do not support granting aviation rights to international rail passengers. This would be overly burdensome for airlines and result in higher fares. Additionally, there is no motivation for passengers to keep costs low. In comparison, Eurostar’s meal allowance of £50 per 24 hours of being stranded is commendable for fair treatment.
An alternative option to Eurostar is available: taking an overnight ferry from Hook of Holland (easily accessible from Amsterdam and Rotterdam) to Harwich. The approximate cost is £175, which a sensible traveler would not accept since it would result in a financial loss. Eurostar should actively promote the idea of passengers freeing themselves from the confusion by offering financial incentives for traveling by sea.
Source: independent.co.uk
