Eurostar monopoly: Virgin gets green light for UK-EU trains
More operators should mean more departure times, greater choice and lower prices
Published
Virgin Trains is a step closer to launching its services between the UK and mainland Europe after receiving approval for access to Britain’s high-speed rail network.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has pre-approved a track access agreement allowing Virgin to run up to 20 daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030.
The decision is a big step in ending Eurostar’s near 32 year dominance of international passenger rail through the Channel Tunnel.
Virgin’s services are planned to begin with London-Paris trains in October 2030, followed by Brussels and Amsterdam services in 2031.
The ORR said the new services would provide “significant benefits for passengers” and “bring competition” in international rail.
More trains and more choice for passengers
The arrival of genuine competition on routes that have effectively been served by a single passenger operator since the Channel Tunnel opened in 1994, brings good news for travellers.
More operators should mean more departure times and greater choice over when and how people travel between the UK and Europe. Competition could also put pressure on operators to offer more attractive fares and improve their services as they compete for passengers.
The ORR said its decision was consistent with its purpose to promote competition and protect the interests of rail users.
Virgin has also previously said its aim is to bring competition to the cross-Channel market and improve the customer experience.
Virgin is not the only challenge to Eurostar
Italy's Trenitalia is also targeting a London-Paris service by 2029, which would make it the first new operator to give passengers a direct alternative to Eurostar.
Trenitalia has ordered 19 new high-speed trains from Hitachi Rail as part of a €2billion order, with 10 of the trains intended specifically for the London-Paris route.
The Italian operator is looking to run 10 daily return services between London and Paris from 2029.
The trains will be new Frecciarossa sets and will be single-deck, allowing them to operate on European high-speed routes including the Channel Tunnel.
Trenitalia is also developing an €80million facility near Paris to house its trains and equipment. The project is intended to help the company operate the London service without relying on the Temple Mills depot in London.
Virgin has already gained approval to use Temple Mills, the only existing UK facility capable of accommodating trains for Channel Tunnel services.
Other rivals are preparing
Virgin and Trenitalia are not the only companies seeking to enter the Channel Tunnel market.
Other prospective operators include Evolyn and Gemini Trains, while Eurostar itself is preparing to expand its fleet and services as competition increases.
At the moment, Virgin must still secure the necessary access and safety approvals for the Channel Tunnel and the European rail networks before its services can begin.
