Latest news with #GeminiTrains
Time Out
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Uber has revealed plans to run trains to Europe from Stratford in east London
For a long time, the Eurostar has been the only passenger train ferrying Brits from London, under the Channel and onto the Continent. But not for long. In recent years cross-Channel ambitions have been revealed by the likes of Deutsche Bahn and Evolyn, while Virgin has announced a new service that will be a direct competitor with the OG London-Paris line, due to launch in 2029. Now there's been an update for yet another Eurostar competitor. It involves Gemini Trains, which is led by Labour peer Tony Berkeley and was launched back in March. Gemini will be teaming up with Uber to launch a new international train line, that could take Londoners en train to Paris and Brussels from Stratford in the heart of east London. 'Stratford is a bit of a blank canvas,' said Adrian Quine, chief executive of Gemini Trains. 'It's a bit like London City airport as opposed to Heathrow or Gatwick: it's very quick and easy to get through. It's going to be far less crowded, so we think it's a bit of a jewel in the crown.' When the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (AKA High Speed 1, HS1) was built back in 2007 Stratford International station was fitted out to handle passengers heading across the Channel from London, but it was never used for this purpose. The HS1 Stratford station has only been used by domestic Southeastern trains using the high-speed track to stations in Kent. Quine said a Stratty to Paris train could be 'as quick, if not quicker' than the service from St Pancras. He said that Londoners could be hopping on in east London and hopping off at Paris Nord or Brussels Midi by 2030.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Uber set to reopen Ebbsfleet International by 2029
Trains to and from Europe via the Channel Tunnel will stop in Kent up to 10 times each day under new plans by Gemini Trains and services stopped calling at Ebbsfleet and Ashford international stations at the beginning of the pandemic, and have so far not rail operator Gemini Trains and transport app Uber recently announced they were teaming up and planned to rival Eurostar by operating trains between London St Pancras and the Quine, CEO of Gemini, said the new service could be introduced by 2029 and would stop at Ebbsfleet, although Ashford is not in the plans for now. Mr Quine told BBC Radio Kent: "It's very important because Eurostar no longer stop in Kent and there's eight million people who live in the south-east of England, outside the M25, for whom having a direct service to the continent is extremely important."Ebbsfleet is a perfect station. It's designed for international traffic, it's got a massive car park, it's very well connected via the road network and it's connected to the rest of Kent via the HS1 service."We're proposing every train stops there."The deal, similar to that between Uber and the London Thames Clipper boats, would see tickets offered through the app but operations remaining the responsibility of Quine said he was between 60 and 70% sure that the project between Gemini and Uber would be green lit by the rail regulator.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Could Stratford replace St Pancras as the gateway to Europe?
The transport tech giant Uber is to take on Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel – but you may need an Uber to reach the departure station in east London. Uber has teamed up with a start-up operator, Gemini Trains, to promote a planned rival service linking London with Paris and Brussels. If the partners are permitted to launch trains to Continental Europe, they will not start from the terminal at St Pancras – but six miles down the track at Stratford International. 'Stratford is actually a bit of a blank canvas,' said Adrian Quine, chief executive of Gemini Trains. 'It's a bit like London City airport as opposed to Heathrow or Gatwick: it's very quick and easy to get through. It's going to be far less crowded, so we think it's a bit of a jewel in the crown.' When the High Speed 1 (HS1) line from London St Pancras International to the Channel was constructed, the suburban station at Stratford was fitted out to handle passengers heading for France and beyond. But it has only ever been used for domestic Southeastern trains using the high-speed track to stations in Kent, with the international facilities lying idle. Mr Quine said: 'Stratford might not be so central as St Pancras, but I think door to door from central London, it's going to be as quick, if not quicker.' Stratford is served by the Elizabeth Line from central London, Heathrow airport and Reading. Two Underground lines – the Central and Jubilee – provide other connections. The London Overground and Greater Anglia operate many trains to and from Stratford. An Uber from central London to the east London station currently costs around £24. Gemini Trains says it will also serve Ebbsfleet in north Kent en route to the Continent. Ebbsfleet, along with Ashford International, was mothballed after a combination of Covid and Brexit led to Eurostar abandoning the Kent stations. Mr Quine said that services from Stratford to Paris Nord and Brussels Midi could begin by 2030. Gemini Trains is one of several contenders aiming to compete with Eurostar, which has had the cross-Channel passenger market to itself since the tunnel opened in 1994. The start-up plans to purchase 10 new trains for the service and promises 'competitive fares on comfortable high-quality and frequent train services between the UK and continental Europe'. The Independent calculates that this relatively small fleet might operate 10 round-trips per day to Paris and a further five to Brussels and back. Mr Quine said it would have two classes; Eurostar has three. Under the marketing agreement, Uber would co-brand the Gemini Trains service and sell tickets through its app. It already sells Eurostar tickets along with domestic rail, and co-brands the Thames Clipper ferry service through London. Andrew Brem, general manager of Uber UK said: 'This collaboration with Gemini Trains is our latest step in how we're helping people get where they want to go. We're excited about the opportunity to bring our brand to the iconic Channel Tunnel journey.' Mr Quine said: 'Innovation and value are at the very heart of what we do so it's really exciting to be teaming up with Uber, an instantly recognisable global brand which has revolutionised the travel industry. Now passengers will be able to enjoy the same value and comfort on brand new 'cutting edge' trains at the touch of a button.' Rob Burgess, founder of the frequent-flyer website Head for Points, said: 'This is arguably a logical step for Uber. It has had success selling Eurostar tickets via its app, because of the 5 per cent cashback it offers, and the Uber Boat branding on the River Thames boat shuttles appears to be successful. 'It seems a win for both sides. Eurostar's brand is strong, the Gemini brand is not. Uber will be a great help here. 'However, there is a long, long way to go before Gemini can get the necessary permissions and get its hands on rolling stock. Uber can pick up some free publicity now without having to worry about delivering anything in the short or even medium term." As well as Gemini Trains, Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Italy's state railway operator FS Italiane Group are hoping to start services from London to Paris. The High Speed 1 line and the Channel Tunnel are both running at about half their capacity. London St Pancras Highspeed, which runs both the terminal station and HS1, says there is the potential for passenger numbers to triple from 11 million to 35 million by 2040. The infrastructure operator's chief executive, Robert Sinclair, told The Independent 's daily travel podcast: 'With competition comes more choice, more destinations, lower fares and lower emissions, so we can see the market really opening up.' His organisation plans to turn much of the St Pancras international arrivals complex into a departure area. Eurostar's general secretary, Gareth Williams, said: 'We support competition and growth through international rail.' But the incumbent has raised concerns about a lack of train depot capacity at Temple Mills, near Stratford.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Uber reveals plans to join Eurostar rival train line with new routes to Europe
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) UBER has confirmed they will be partnering with a rival train line set to take on Eurostar. Gemini Trains previously revealed plans to launch 10 trains from the UK to Europe, with routes to Paris and Brussels. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Uber and Gemini Trains are joining to take on Eurostar with routes to Europe Credit: Alamy And today Uber has said they will be branding the cross-channel routes with Gemini. This means that UK travellers will be able to book a train to Europe via the Uber app. Brits can already book trains using the Uber app but it will be a first for branded Uber trains to Europe. Andrew Brem, General Manager, Uber UK says: 'We've seen amazing momentum since we began launching new modes of transport in the UK. "And this collaboration with Gemini Trains is our latest step in how we're helping people get where they want to go. "We're excited about the opportunity to bring our brand to the iconic Channel Tunnel journey." Gemini Trains' first route will be from London Stratford International, not from London St Pancras where the current Eurostar route runs. It will be the first international route for the UK station. The train will then go on to call at Ebbsfleet International, before travelling to Paris Gare du Nord and Brussels Midi. When Gemini will launch trains, as well as how much tickets will cost, is yet to be revealed. The Hidden Challenges of Being a Female Uber Driver But with Eurostar currently offering fares from £39, it is likely they will be similar. And Gemini isn't the only train operator who wants to take on Eurostar. Virgin has confirmed they want to launch UK-Europe routes, having bought 12 trains. Costing £500million, the entire project is expected to cost £1billion. Bck in 2023, Start up operator Evolyn announced plans for trains between London and Paris. And FS Italiane Group also has plans to launch a new train service between London and Paris by 2029. Rival train companies were given a welcome boost earlier this year when a report confirmed that the current London Channel Tunnel depot at Temple Mills has space for more storage. Eurostar, who stores their trains there, claimed there would be little room for rivals. A Virgin spokesperson said it would "unlock competition on the cross-Channel route for the benefit of all passengers". They added: "There are no more major hurdles to overcome, and Virgin is ready to take up the challenge, given its award-winning experience in the train industry and track-record for building globally successful travel brands."
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Uber reveals plans to join Eurostar rival train line with new routes to Europe
UBER has confirmed they will be partnering with a rival train line set to take on Eurostar. Gemini Trains previously revealed plan s to launch 10 trains from the UK to Europe, with routes to Paris and Brussels. And today Uber has said they will be branding the cross-channel routes with Gemini. This means that UK travellers will be able to book a train to Europe via the Uber app. Brits can already book trains using the Uber app but it will be a first for branded Uber trains to Europe. Andrew Brem, General Manager, Uber UK says: 'We've seen amazing momentum since we began launching new modes of transport in the UK. "And this collaboration with Gemini Trains is our latest step in how we're helping people get where they want to go. "We're excited about the opportunity to bring our brand to the iconic Channel Tunnel journey." Gemini Trains' first route will be from London Stratford International, not from London St Pancras where the current Eurostar route runs. It will be the first international route for the UK station. The train will then go on to call at Ebbsfleet International, before travelling to Paris Gare du Nord and Brussels Midi. When Gemini will launch trains, as well as how much tickets will cost, is yet to be revealed. The Hidden Challenges of Being a Female Uber Driver But with Eurostar currently offering fares from £39, it is likely they will be similar. And Gemini isn't the only train operator who wants to take on Eurostar. Virgin has confirmed they want to launch UK-Europe routes, having bought 12 trains. Costing £500million, the entire project is expected to cost £1billion. Bck in 2023, Start up operator Evolyn announced plans for trains between London and Paris. And FS Italiane Group also has plans to launch a new train service between London and Paris by 2029. Rival train companies were given a welcome boost earlier this year when a report confirmed that the current London Channel Tunnel depot at Temple Mills has space for more storage. Eurostar, who stores their trains there, claimed there would be little room for rivals. A Virgin spokesperson said it would "unlock competition on the cross-Channel route for the benefit of all passengers". They added: "There are no more major hurdles to overcome, and Virgin is ready to take up the challenge, given its award-winning experience in the train industry and track-record for building globally successful travel brands." 2
