S Poddar
St Pancras is looking to expand its international rail services, with potential new direct routes connecting London to major cities in Germany, Switzerland, and France. These plans aim to significantly boost passenger capacity and offer travelers more alternatives to short-haul flights.
London St Pancras Highspeed, the company that owns and operates the railway infrastructure between the iconic London station and the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone, has already put forward an ambitious proposal to increase the number of international passengers traveling through the station. The goal is to raise capacity from the current 1,800 passengers per hour to nearly 5,000, marking a significant expansion in cross-border rail travel.
To achieve this, the company is seeking to bring in multiple train operators to introduce a wider range of services, reducing reliance on a single provider. At present, Eurostar has exclusive control over train routes passing through the Channel Tunnel, offering direct services between London and cities like Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. However, this could soon change as new competitors enter the market.
In an effort to enhance international rail connectivity, London St Pancras Highspeed has signed an agreement with Getlink, the company that owns and operates Eurotunnel. This partnership is expected to lay the groundwork for the expansion of services, making it easier for travelers to access European destinations by train.
“Many European cities could be reached directly by train in under six hours, which we believe is really competitive with short-haul air travel,” a spokesperson for London St Pancras Highspeed stated. The potential of high-speed rail to rival air travel in terms of convenience and efficiency is seen as a major selling point for expanding routes.
Yann Leriche, chief executive of Getlink, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainable and efficient transportation. “We are keen to drive forward attractive opportunities for low-carbon mobility with a range of new destinations in Germany, Switzerland, and France,” he said. This aligns with the growing demand for environmentally friendly travel alternatives, as more passengers seek to reduce their carbon footprint.
If these projects come to fruition, cities like Bordeaux, Cologne, Frankfurt, Geneva, Marseille, and Zurich will have new train routes opening up to them. The city additions would thus connect passengers to some of the most important business and tourism destinations in Europe directly by rail.
There is no set timeline for this, but this is a critical step into deposing Eurostar of the monopoly it possesses in Channel Tunnel rail service. For years, Eurostar has dominated this sector, but its recent decisions to cut certain routes have left gaps in service. In June 2023, the company discontinued its route between London and Disneyland Paris. It also no longer operates direct trains between London and the south of France, leaving an opportunity for other operators to step in.
Recognizing the potential for competition, several companies are now exploring the possibility of launching their own services. Among them, Virgin Group and Evolyn have been working on plans to challenge Eurostar’s dominance. Virgin has acknowledged the complexity of the project, stating that establishing a new cross-Channel rail operator would be a “huge undertaking.” However, a company spokesperson highlighted that “the route is ripe for change, with plenty of room and potential for new competition at St Pancras and through the Tunnel.”
Competition is expected to bring significant benefits to passengers, including increased options, better service quality, and potentially lower fares. A more diverse set of operators would create a more dynamic market, ultimately improving the overall travel experience for customers.
London St Pancras Highspeed remains optimistic about the growing demand for international rail travel. Robert Sinclair, the company’s chief executive, reinforced this belief, stating that the appetite for train travel across Europe is increasing. He emphasized the importance of working with Getlink and other operators to “encourage new and existing train operators to expand capacity and launch new destinations, unlocking the potential of a fully connected Europe.”
As discussions progress, travelers can look forward to the possibility of more direct train routes linking London with key European destinations. If realized, these plans could revolutionize international rail travel, providing a compelling alternative to flying while supporting sustainable transport initiatives. The expansion of St Pancras as a major rail hub could reshape the way people travel across Europe, offering greater convenience, efficiency, and environmental benefits.
