Latest news with #AlbertRosti
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The UK could soon get a direct train to one of Europe's prettiest destinations
A brand new direct train route could be set to connect the UK to Switzerland in just five hours. Currently, tourists who want to travel by train have to get the Eurostar to Paris and change to reach Geneva, with the total journey taking around seven hours. The proposed direct train route between London and Geneva would shave about two hours off the current travel time. The UK and Switzerland have signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to work to set up the rail link. Both countries are set to work together to deal with obstacles such as Channel Tunnel regulations and border controls. Each country will also share expertise under the agreement and meet with potential operators. Heidi Alexander, the UK's transport secretary, told PA: 'It's not going to be within the next 12 months, but if we can make this happen I think it will be a fantastic thing for our two countries.' Meanwhile, Alexander's Swiss counterpart, Albert Rosti, said the route wouldn't be opened 'as fast as I would like' but added that it was 'really likely' that the service could launch in the next five to 10 years. He said: 'I'm convinced that it's a good opportunity. It will be competitive to flights. If you can fill one train with 1,000 people, you can reduce the number of flights from Switzerland by five.' And Switzerland isn't the only destination that Brits could soon reach in a direct journey by train. A planned expansion at London St Pancras could also lead to direct routes to Frankfurt and Milan. Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London St Pancras Highspeed, said: 'This exciting announcement brings us one step closer to direct high-speed services between London and Switzerland, building on the preliminary work already undertaken to ensure that station access and routes are in place to make this a reality.'
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
First ever direct trains from London to Switzerland move even closer to launching
NEW direct trains between London and Switzerland could soon be a reality. The government has revealed today that an agreement has been signed between Britain and Switzerland, aimed at creating a direct rail link between London and Switzerland . 4 A direct train service could cut journey times between London and Geneva by over two hours Credit: Alamy 4 Currently, passengers have to change at trains and stations in Paris to get to Switzerland Credit: Alamy Currently, passengers from London can travel directly to Paris in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. However, most passengers heading to Switzerland have to change trains and stations in Paris, which increases the overall journey time to and from If a direct service is established, the journey would take around five hours. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the signing of the agreement was "an important day" but acknowledged there is "a lot of detail to work through" before services can begin. Read more on trains She added: "It's not going to be within the next 12 months, but if we can make this happen I think it will be a fantastic thing for our The Transport Secretary also commented that direct train services to Flights from London Heathrow to Geneva currently take around one hour and 40 minutes. However, if one train was full of 1,000 people, Most read in News Travel Albert Rosti, Swiss transport minister, said: "It will be competitive to flights. "I'm convinced that it's a good opportunity." The Sun reviews business class travel on the Eurostar He also insisted that it is "really likely" that services will launch in five to 10 years. A new group will be established to work out how to overcome the commercial, technical and security barriers to running services from France and onto Switzerland. As part of the agreement, work will be done to understand what border controls would need to be established and how to meet Channel Tunnel safety rules, according to the Department for Transport (DfT) said. The first group meeting will take place in the upcoming months, according to the DfT. Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London St Pancras Highspeed, which owns St Pancras station and the high-speed line to the Channel Tunnel, said: "This exciting announcement brings us one step closer to direct high-speed services between Eurostar boss Gwendoline Cazenave said the operator has introduced the ability for passengers to buy tickets for travel between London and several 4 The agreement follows a report released last month revealing the Eurostar's Temple Mills depot has capacity for more trains Credit: Getty She added: "This is a first step in a wider plan with our partners to grow connections in the greenest way." Currently, Eurostar holds the monopoly in running passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel. However, several organisations are currently developing plans to launch rival services, including Virgin Group stated in March there were "no more major hurdles to overcome" before it can begin operating. The Group made the claim following a report carried out by Ms Alexander said the government "wants to see a competitive and thriving international rail market" and is keen to work with London St Pancras Highspeed has said the line to the tunnel is operating at about 50 per cent capacity. Virgin Group Plus, 4 The service could launch within the next decade Credit: Alamy
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
First ever direct trains from London to Switzerland move even closer to launching
NEW direct trains between London and Switzerland could soon be a reality. The government has revealed today that an agreement has been signed between Britain and Switzerland, aimed at creating a direct rail link between London and Switzerland. 4 Currently, passengers from London can travel directly to Paris in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. However, most passengers heading to Switzerland have to change trains and stations in Paris, which increases the overall journey time to and from Geneva to around seven-and-a-half hours. If a direct service is established, the journey would take around five hours. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the signing of the agreement was "an important day" but acknowledged there is "a lot of detail to work through" before services can begin. She added: "It's not going to be within the next 12 months, but if we can make this happen I think it will be a fantastic thing for our two countries." The Transport Secretary also commented that direct train services to Switzerland would offer "an incredible passenger experience" and be "really convenient". Flights from London Heathrow to Geneva currently take around one hour and 40 minutes. However, if one train was full of 1,000 people, flights from Switzerland would be reduced by five. Albert Rosti, Swiss transport minister, said: "It will be competitive to flights. "I'm convinced that it's a good opportunity." He also insisted that it is "really likely" that services will launch in five to 10 years. A new group will be established to work out how to overcome the commercial, technical and security barriers to running services from Britain, through the Channel Tunnel, crossing France and onto Switzerland. As part of the agreement, work will be done to understand what border controls would need to be established and how to meet Channel Tunnel safety rules, according to the Department for Transport (DfT) said. The first group meeting will take place in the upcoming months, according to the DfT. Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London St Pancras Highspeed, which owns St Pancras station and the high-speed line to the Channel Tunnel, said: "This exciting announcement brings us one step closer to direct high-speed services between London and Switzerland, building on the preliminary work already undertaken to ensure that station access and routes are in place to make this a reality." Eurostar boss Gwendoline Cazenave said the operator has introduced the ability for passengers to buy tickets for travel between London and several Swiss cities in a single booking. She added: "This is a first step in a wider plan with our partners to grow connections in the greenest way." Currently, Eurostar holds the monopoly in running passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel. However, several organisations are currently developing plans to launch rival services, including Virgin Group. Virgin Group stated in March there were "no more major hurdles to overcome" before it can begin operating. The Group made the claim following a report carried out by the Office of Rail and Road revealed that there is some capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London. Ms Alexander said the government "wants to see a competitive and thriving international rail market" and is keen to work with London St Pancras Highspeed to "maximise the opportunities" of the Channel Tunnel. London St Pancras Highspeed has said the line to the tunnel is operating at about 50 per cent capacity. Virgin Group responded to the report conducted by the Office for Rail and Road. Plus, Eurostar has revealed future plans for trains from UK to Germany and Switzerland. 4
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
First ever direct trains from London to Switzerland move even closer to launching
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NEW direct trains between London and Switzerland could soon be a reality. The government has revealed today that an agreement has been signed between Britain and Switzerland, aimed at creating a direct rail link between London and Switzerland. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A direct train service could cut journey times between London and Geneva by over two hours Credit: Alamy 4 Currently, passengers have to change at trains and stations in Paris to get to Switzerland Credit: Alamy Currently, passengers from London can travel directly to Paris in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. However, most passengers heading to Switzerland have to change trains and stations in Paris, which increases the overall journey time to and from Geneva to around seven-and-a-half hours. If a direct service is established, the journey would take around five hours. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the signing of the agreement was "an important day" but acknowledged there is "a lot of detail to work through" before services can begin. She added: "It's not going to be within the next 12 months, but if we can make this happen I think it will be a fantastic thing for our two countries." The Transport Secretary also commented that direct train services to Switzerland would offer "an incredible passenger experience" and be "really convenient". Flights from London Heathrow to Geneva currently take around one hour and 40 minutes. However, if one train was full of 1,000 people, flights from Switzerland would be reduced by five. Albert Rosti, Swiss transport minister, said: "It will be competitive to flights. "I'm convinced that it's a good opportunity." The Sun reviews business class travel on the Eurostar He also insisted that it is "really likely" that services will launch in five to 10 years. A new group will be established to work out how to overcome the commercial, technical and security barriers to running services from Britain, through the Channel Tunnel, crossing France and onto Switzerland. As part of the agreement, work will be done to understand what border controls would need to be established and how to meet Channel Tunnel safety rules, according to the Department for Transport (DfT) said. The first group meeting will take place in the upcoming months, according to the DfT. Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London St Pancras Highspeed, which owns St Pancras station and the high-speed line to the Channel Tunnel, said: "This exciting announcement brings us one step closer to direct high-speed services between London and Switzerland, building on the preliminary work already undertaken to ensure that station access and routes are in place to make this a reality." Eurostar boss Gwendoline Cazenave said the operator has introduced the ability for passengers to buy tickets for travel between London and several Swiss cities in a single booking. 4 The agreement follows a report released last month revealing the Eurostar's Temple Mills depot has capacity for more trains Credit: Getty She added: "This is a first step in a wider plan with our partners to grow connections in the greenest way." Currently, Eurostar holds the monopoly in running passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel. However, several organisations are currently developing plans to launch rival services, including Virgin Group. Virgin Group stated in March there were "no more major hurdles to overcome" before it can begin operating. The Group made the claim following a report carried out by the Office of Rail and Road revealed that there is some capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London. Ms Alexander said the government "wants to see a competitive and thriving international rail market" and is keen to work with London St Pancras Highspeed to "maximise the opportunities" of the Channel Tunnel. London St Pancras Highspeed has said the line to the tunnel is operating at about 50 per cent capacity. Virgin Group responded to the report conducted by the Office for Rail and Road. Plus, Eurostar has revealed future plans for trains from UK to Germany and Switzerland.
North Wales Chronicle
09-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Direct trains from UK to Switzerland move step closer
A memorandum of understanding has been signed in an attempt to address barriers to the rail link, such as establishing border controls and meeting Channel Tunnel safety rules, the Department for Transport (DfT) said. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander held talks on the issue with Swiss transport minister Albert Rosti at London's St Pancras station on Thursday. Most passengers travelling by rail between St Pancras and Switzerland change trains and stations in Paris, leading to a total journey time to and from Geneva of around seven-and-a-half hours. This could be reduced to around five hours if services were direct. Flights from Heathrow to Geneva take one hour and 40 minutes. Ms Alexander hailed the signing of the agreement as 'an important day' but acknowledged there is 'a lot of detail to work through' before services begin. She told the PA news agency: 'It's not going to be within the next 12 months, but if we can make this happen I think it will be a fantastic thing for our two countries.' The Transport Secretary said direct train services to Switzerland would offer 'an incredible passenger experience' and be 'really convenient'. Mr Rosti predicted that progress in opening the route will not be 'as fast as I would like' but insisted it is 'really likely' that services will launch in five to 10 years. He went on: 'I'm convinced that it's a good opportunity. 'It will be competitive to flights. 'If you can fill one train with 1,000 people, you can reduce the number of flights from Switzerland by five.' The memorandum of understanding includes intentions to share information and expertise, understand the practical requirements for border and security controls, and facilitate dialogue with interested operators to develop commercial arrangements. A joint working group will be established bringing together government and industry experts from the UK and Switzerland to examine how to overcome commercial and technical barriers to launching train services. It will hold its first meeting in the coming months, according to the DfT. Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London St Pancras Highspeed, which owns St Pancras station and the high-speed line to the Channel Tunnel, said: 'This exciting announcement brings us one step closer to direct high-speed services between London and Switzerland, building on the preliminary work already undertaken to ensure that station access and routes are in place to make this a reality.' Eurostar boss Gwendoline Cazenave said the operator has introduced the ability for passengers to buy tickets for travel between London and several Swiss cities in a single booking, adding: 'This is a first step in a wider plan with our partners to grow connections in the greenest way.' Eurostar holds a monopoly in running passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel, but several organisations are developing plans to launch rival services. Virgin Group stated in March there were 'no more major hurdles to overcome' before it can begin operating. It made the claim after regulator the Office of Rail and Road said some capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London could be made available to other operators. Ms Alexander said the Government 'wants to see a competitive and thriving international rail market' and is keen to work with London St Pancras Highspeed to 'maximise the opportunities' of the Channel Tunnel. London St Pancras Highspeed has said the line to the tunnel is operating at about 50% capacity.
