Latest news with #internationalrail
The Guardian
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Eurostar calls for ‘credible' Channel rail strategy as monopoly decision looms
Eurostar has urged the UK government to choose a 'credible long-term strategy' for international rail or risk 'falling behind' the rest of Europe, before a crucial decision by the regulator that could end its cross-Channel monopoly. The high-speed train operator warned that a 'premature' ruling from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to allow competitors to squeeze trains into existing facilities could jeopardise its planned investment and expansion. Instead it called for 'big-picture thinking' from the government to enable more capacity for overseas rail – which it said could produce more high-skilled jobs and growth. Eurostar is on the verge of finalising an order for 50 more high-speed trains to upgrade and expand its fleet, and has pledged new direct routes to Frankfurt and Geneva. A number of potential competitors are, however, hoping to break its 30-year exclusive hold on passenger train services through the Channel tunnel. Virgin Group, the British startup Gemini trains and a partnership between the Italian state rail operator, FS Italiane, and the Spanish company Evolyn are among those vying for space. While the owners of the rail infrastructure – the Eurotunnel parent, Getlink, and London St Pancras High Speed (formerly HS1) – are keen to drive more business, rivals have been unable to secure space to house and maintain high-speed trains in Great Britain. Capacity for more services has been focused on one functioning depot at Temple Mills, in east London, which Eurostar insists is full and can only accommodate its own growth plans with a €80m (£70m) investment. However, the ORR has said it believes there is space at the depot and invited applicants to submit proposals before a ruling. Eurostar's own response to the regulator, seen by the Guardian, sets out plans for expansion on the back of recent passenger growth, up 5% last year to 19.5 million, and agreements between the UK and Germany and Switzerland to facilitate direct routes. However, it also starkly sets out what it says would be the risk of a new operator sharing the depot, including a 'significant impact on the ability to operate' and disruption to customers. Eurostar suggested that the ORR should find 'that it would be premature to make any determination' and that it 'cannot assume the capacity … is actually deliverable'. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Instead it said the ORR and government should outline its support and strategy for new depots, to be used by any company, including repurposing existing alternatives or building brand-new facilities. Gareth Williams, the general secretary at Eurostar, said: 'We believe there is an incredible opportunity to grow international rail … With demand for sustainable travel at an all-time high and growth being a key challenge for the country, the UK cannot afford to fall behind.' He said Eurostar's plans were financed and already under way, adding: 'Temple Mills is an important foundation of that future. We want to be a leading centre for European high-speed maintenance, bringing skilled jobs and industrial investment. The regulator, UK government and private investors have a unique moment now to make bold decisions to unlock the huge potential of international rail and encourage more European links for tourism, trade and education.' The decision by the ORR on whether Eurostar has to give up depot space to a competitor is expected in October.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Uber agrees to 'co-brand' Channel Tunnel trains through Ebbsfleet
Transport app Uber will "co-brand" trains running through Kent and the Channel Tunnel, it has company said it had formed a partnership with Gemini Trains, which is developing plans to launch international rail services from London St Pancras which would stop in stopping in Ebbsfleet would see a return of international train travel to Kent for the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus 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 Gemini. Andrew Brem, Uber's UK general manager, said: "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."Gemini is planning to buy 10 new trains for its services, one of several planned competitors to company announced in March that it had been developing its plans for two years and had submitted an application to regulator the Office of Rail and Road for access to Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east 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 stopped calling at Ebbsfleet and Ashford in March 2020 during the coronavirus local pressure for services to resume, the company has said it is focusing on its core Trains chief executive Adrian Quine said it was "really exciting" to be teaming up with Uber.
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Uber deal with Channel Tunnel trains will allow users to book tickets to Europe on app
Uber has signed an agreement with a train company planning to launch international rail services from London. The deal will see the trains 'co-branded' by the transport company and allow customers to book services directly from their popular app. Gemini Trains, chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley, is developing plans to launch international rail services from London St Pancras and is in the process of purchasing 10 new trains for the venture. While Uber will co-brand the service, similar to its collaboration with Thames Clipper, Gemini Trains will retain operational responsibility. The move expands Uber's reach further into the rail travel market, offering users a more integrated travel experience. Uber said: 'Under the marketing agreement, Uber will co-brand the service, as well as offer passengers the opportunity to book tickets through the Uber app.' The deal echoes Uber's collaboration with London's Thames Clipper boats, which involves Uber branding the service but operations being the responsibility of Thames Clipper. Gemini Trains, chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley, is planning to purchase 10 new trains for its services. Its initial routes would be from London St Pancras to Paris and Brussels – calling at Ebbsfleet, Kent – with plans to expand services to other European destinations. Eurostar stopped calling at Ebbsfleet and Ashford, also in Kent, in March 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite local pressure for services to resume, the company has said it is focusing on its core routes. Gemini Trains announced in March that it had been developing its plans for two years and had submitted an application to regulator the Office of Rail and Road for access to Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London. Eurostar holds a monopoly in running passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. 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. Andrew Brem, Uber's UK general manager, said: '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 chief executive Adrian 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.'
