St Pancras & Getlink Plan Major Boost to Europe Rail Links, Challenging Eurostar Monopoly

February 21, 2025
St Pancras & Getlink Plan Major Boost to Europe Rail Links, Challenging Eurostar Monopoly
  • Eurostar has maintained a monopoly on foot passenger services through the Channel Tunnel for 30 years, but has faced criticism for high fares and service reductions.

  • Significant upgrades at St Pancras will be essential, particularly regarding security and border checks, to handle the increased flow of travelers.

  • A recent consultancy report suggested that modest infrastructure changes could alleviate current constraints at St Pancras, making it more feasible to expand services.

  • However, if all goes as planned, these new services may not commence until at least 2030, as operators will need time to acquire trains and secure necessary operating permissions.

  • Yann Leriche, CEO of Getlink, highlighted the importance of developing low-carbon travel options to new destinations in Europe as part of this expansion initiative.

  • Recent service discontinuations by Eurostar, including routes to Disneyland Paris and southern France, have created a demand for new travel options.

  • St Pancras railway station in London, alongside Getlink, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, is set to increase train services connecting the UK with France, Germany, and Switzerland.

  • To support these new international routes, St Pancras Highspeed aims to boost passenger throughput from 1,800 to nearly 5,000 per hour, facilitated by a redesigned terminal.

  • Robert Sinclair, CEO of London St Pancras Highspeed, emphasized the need for infrastructure improvements to accommodate the anticipated rise in passenger volumes and enhance connectivity across Europe.

  • Currently, the design of St Pancras limits passenger flow and leads to queues, despite the Channel Tunnel having the capacity for more international services.

  • In response to this demand, potential competitors such as Virgin Group, led by Sir Richard Branson, and the Spanish start-up Evolyn are exploring proposals for new cross-Channel services.

  • The growing interest in rail travel as a greener alternative to flying is likely to further increase demand for these new routes.

Summary based on 7 sources


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