Latest news with #FSItaliane
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Channel Tunnel train services set to be increased as owners eye new routes
Passengers may soon have more options for international train travel via the Channel Tunnel, according to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The regulator announced it would allocate spare capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London. The allocation will be given to either a new operator or Eurostar itself, which has expressed intentions to expand its services. Currently, Eurostar holds a monopoly on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. Several organisations are reportedly developing proposals to launch rival services, including Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, Italy's state-owned railway company FS Italiane Group, and Gemini Trains, chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley. Access to space at Temple Mills for maintaining and storing trains is a critical requirement for new operators or Eurostar to boost services. It is the only UK site able to support trains that can be used in the Channel Tunnel and on tracks in continental Europe. From London St Pancras, Eurostar serves Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, as well as running seasonal ski trains to the French Alps. Getlink – the French owner of the Channel Tunnel – believes there is the potential for services between London and locations such as Bordeaux, Cologne, Frankfurt, Geneva, Marseille and Zurich. The ORR's deputy director for access and international, Martin Jones, said: 'The growing appetite to provide international rail services is great news for passengers. 'We now need operators to set out more detail on their proposals at pace, and will work quickly and as thoroughly as possible to determine the best use of capacity at Temple Mills.' The ORR said it will consider several factors, such as how proposed new services will impact performance, the financial and operational 'readiness' of operators, and the 'economic and societal benefits'. It expects to reach a conclusion later this year. Initial findings from an independent assessment of Temple Mills commissioned by the regulator were published in March. The review found there is some capacity available for more trains without any changes to current practices, and more capacity could be created through further investment. The ORR said it has reviewed evidence submitted in response to this by stakeholders such as Eurostar, and concluded the assessment is 'an accurate reflection' and 'suggests there is room for at most one new operator, or for Eurostar to grow'. The regulator said it will be 'some time' until services from a new operator would be able to start even after access to Temple Mills is secured. That is because they would need to receive regulatory approval in France, access to the High Speed 1 line between London and the Channel Tunnel, and procure trains. A spokesperson for Eurostar said: 'We welcome the ORR's call for more information on future plans, and continue to encourage private investment in new depot facilities beyond Temple Mills, of which there are many options. 'Eurostar is already investing in the future with a new fleet of up to 50 trains, enhancing facilities at Temple Mills, and partnership work to expand capacity at stations, including London St Pancras International. 'It's clear a strategic, joined-up approach is needed to unlock the full potential of international rail for passengers and the UK economy.'
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
How Uber deal will change rail travel to Paris and Brussels
Uber has partnered with Gemini Trains to offer train ticket booking to mainland Europe through the Uber app. Gemini Trains plans to launch international rail services from London St Pancras to Paris and Brussels, with future expansion to other European destinations. The partnership involves co-branding the train services, similar to Uber's collaboration with river boat company Thames Clippers, but Gemini Trains will maintain operational control. Gemini Trains is in the process of acquiring 10 new trains for the venture and has applied for access to Eurostar 's maintenance depot. Other organisations developing proposals to launch rival services include billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Italy's state-owned railway company FS Italiane Group.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Italy's state-run train operator reveals £780m bid to take on Eurostar
Italy has joined the race to challenge Eurostar after its state-owned rail operator pledged €1bn (£780m) to run trains through the Channel Tunnel. FS Italiane said it would join forces with transport group Evolyn to use Italian-made high speed trains on the London to Paris route. The bid comes after the Office for Rail and Road (ORR), the UK rail regulator, ruled there was room for another operator in addition to Eurostar, the French-controlled monopoly which has run services since 1994. The joint Evolyn and FS Italiane bid is one of three put forward by challengers hoping to topple Eurostar's longstanding hold on the Channel route. Gemini Trains, chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley, and Richard Branson's Virgin Trains are also in the running. The ORR is expected to decide which operator will be given the green light to access the line. The shake-up stems from a recent ruling by the watchdog that there was additional train storage capacity at the only UK depot to serve the route – opening the door for a rival service. Eurostar had argued that the depot was full with its own carriages and there would not be enough space. FS Italiane plans to use trains inspired by its high-speed 'Frecciarossa' service, calling them 'top-of-the-range class, in terms of energy efficiency, comfort and service quality'. The Italian operator, which which co-owns the UK's Avanti West Coast, also said it was also planning for additional capacity at St Pancras in London and exploring funding options to support the project. FS Italiane's operation of Avanti West Coast has been beset with problems after it was named the UK's worst train company for delays last year. ORR figures showed that just two in five (41pc) of its trains ran on time. Evolyn was founded by the wealthy Spanish Cosmen family, who are the largest shareholders in National Express's parent company Mobico. It has promised that its bid will lead to more competitive rates for travel than Eurostar. Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, the chief executive of FS Italiane, said: 'High-speed rail networks are the backbone of efficient and environmentally friendly mobility, and by expanding our presence on key corridors, we are not just investing in infrastructure and innovation, but also in the future of European transport. 'More competition will help to create a more efficient and customer-oriented industry, offering a real alternative to air travel.' It comes as Eurostar is facing pressure to return services to Kent after it cut services to Ashford during the pandemic. Local residents and business owners have argued that the absence of Eurostar has dented the town's economic prospects. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
08-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Italy's state-run train operator reveals £780m bid to take on Eurostar
Italy has joined the race to challenge Eurostar after its state-owned rail operator pledged €1bn (£780m) to run trains through the Channel Tunnel. FS Italiane said it would join forces with transport group Evolyn to use Italian-made high speed trains on the London to Paris route. The bid comes after the Office for Rail and Road (ORR), the UK rail regulator, ruled there was room for another operator in addition to Eurostar, the French-controlled monopoly which has run services since 1994. The joint Evolyn and FS Italiane bid is one of three put forward by challengers hoping to topple Eurostar's longstanding hold on the Channel route. Gemini Trains, chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley, and Richard Branson's Virgin Trains are also in the running. The ORR is expected to decide which operator will be given the green light to access the line. The shake-up stems from a recent ruling by the watchdog that there was additional train storage capacity at the only UK depot to serve the route – opening the door for a rival service. Eurostar had argued that the depot was full with its own carriages and there would not be enough space. FS Italiane plans to use trains inspired by its high-speed 'Frecciarossa' service, calling them 'top-of-the-range class, in terms of energy efficiency, comfort and service quality'. The Italian operator, which which co-owns the UK's Avanti West Coast, also said it was also planning for additional capacity at St Pancras in London and exploring funding options to support the project. FS Italiane's operation of Avanti West Coast has been beset with problems after it was named the UK's worst train company for delays last year. ORR figures showed that just two in five (41pc) of its trains ran on time. Evolyn was founded by the wealthy Spanish Cosmen family, who are the largest shareholders in National Express's parent company Mobico. It has promised that its bid will lead to more competitive rates for travel than Eurostar. Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, the chief executive of FS Italiane, said: 'High-speed rail networks are the backbone of efficient and environmentally friendly mobility, and by expanding our presence on key corridors, we are not just investing in infrastructure and innovation, but also in the future of European transport. 'More competition will help to create a more efficient and customer-oriented industry, offering a real alternative to air travel.' It comes as Eurostar is facing pressure to return services to Kent after it cut services to Ashford during the pandemic. Local residents and business owners have argued that the absence of Eurostar has dented the town's economic prospects.
