Eurostar currently holds a monopoly on train services through the Channel Tunnel, with established routes to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. However, the landscape of international train travel is on the verge of transformation. Demand for cross-border rail journeys is surging, prompting London St Pancras Highspeed to capitalize on this trend. The company plans to enhance its capacity for international travelers, aiming to increase passenger numbers from 1,800 per hour to nearly 5,000.
London St Pancras Highspeed, the entity that owns the station and operates the track leading to the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone, has signed an agreement with Getlink to expand rail connectivity between the UK and Europe. This partnership opens doors for new direct train routes from London to Germany, Switzerland, and France. Potential destinations include Bordeaux, Cologne, Frankfurt, Geneva, Marseille, and Zurich.
The introduction of rival services to Eurostar is on the horizon with Virgin Group and Evolyn actively developing plans. This strategic move could break Eurostar’s monopoly and cater to the growing appetite for international train travel. Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London St Pancras Highspeed, highlighted that demand is indeed on the rise.
"Many European cities could be reached directly by train in under six hours which we believe is really competitive with short-haul air travel." – A spokesperson for London St Pancras Highspeed.
Eurostar has recently scaled back some of its services, having dropped routes between London and Disneyland Paris in June 2023 as well as discontinuing connections to the south of France. This shift presents a timely opportunity for new players to enter the market and fill the gaps left by Eurostar's service reductions.
Yann Leriche, chief executive of Getlink, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Virgin to establish a new cross-Channel operator.
"We are keen to drive forward attractive opportunities for low-carbon mobility with a range of new destinations in Germany, Switzerland and France." – Yann Leriche, chief executive of Getlink.
However, creating a new cross-Channel operator is no small feat. Virgin acknowledges this endeavor as a "huge undertaking," but remains optimistic about the potential for growth and competition at St Pancras and through the Channel Tunnel.
"ripe for change with plenty of room and potential for new competition at St Pancras and through the Tunnel" – A spokesperson for Virgin Group.