Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group has bigger, bolder ideas that are downright thrilling! They’ve made proposals for a 12-train a day, bolder, cross-Channel service and are seeking £700 million in funding to challenge Eurostar directly. Together with this initiative, it creates a historic moment for international rail travel. This introduces a major divergence between the UK and mainland Europe.
Last month, UK and Swiss governments agreed a memorandum of understanding. This bilateral agreement is intended to introduce direct passenger train services between the two countries. Virgin’s proposal would provide competition on direct routes between London and Frankfurt and Geneva. Then you can look forward to around five hours travel time to Frankfurt and five hours and twenty minutes to Geneva.
Gwendoline Cazenave, chief executive of the cross-Channel rail operator, welcomed the move, saying it gave hope for the future of these services. She said she had “no doubt” about the future success of these direct connections. Cazenave noted that the time is finally right for launching these services. This change is a positive step in response to overwhelming demand for this type of international rail corridor.
Virgin aims to help set up a new depot to strengthen its cross-Channel operations. Gemini Trains, chaired by former transport minister Lord Berkeley, is looking to set up a similar-sized operation. With any luck, the company’s plans will be a perfect match. This increased competition has the potential to greatly improve service offerings for new travelers looking for rail connections between major cities all over Europe.
In addition to its new routes, Virgin aims to strengthen its presence in the market with plans for additional services. Beginning September 9, a fourth daily train will operate between London St Pancras and Amsterdam. Look forward to a fifth service coming in mid-December! This expansion is a testament to Virgin’s commitment to increasing connectivity between key European hubs.
The cross-Channel rail operator has so far failed to pick a manufacturer for its ambitious €2 billion train order. Meanwhile, the Italian state railway FS Italiane is exploring options to enter the market through a joint venture with Spanish company Evolyn. This partnership is to create a new London-Paris service, adding even more heat to the competition in the burgeoning cross-Channel rail market.
As Virgin Group moves forward with its plans, it has called upon the UK government to develop a “clear national strategy for supporting international rail.” This combined call for governmental support emphasizes the critical, collective need for aligned, intentional action. Together, we can protect travelers’ access to sustainable travel options and foster seamless transportation across borders.
Travelers will see enormous improvements on cross-Channel train services in the early 2030s. Eurostar and Virgin are not resting on their laurels. Both are working hard to deliver upon their plans. Eurostar has highlighted this period as a potential “new golden age of international sustainable travel,” signaling a commitment to enhancing the rail experience while addressing environmental concerns.