For almost three decades, EuroStar was the only railway operator who crossed the mank channel tunnel, connecting Great Britain with continental Europe. But recent changes in regulation and a growing search for travel options with fewer carbon emissions Increased the interest of competitorsField
Companies of Great Britain and Europe seek to get part of the market, but the start of services was not easy. But everything begins to change.
The new report ordered by the Road and Railway Office determined that Eurostar should provide new operators in the Temple Mills warehouse, engineering center Eurostar. It also required HS1, a railway connection with a high speed between London and the tunnel, a decrease in its rates by almost 30 euros per mile. Currently, these bets are the highest in Europe.
As they move, enthusiasm about the new intersection options increases. Several companies are sure that their contests will be successful, and they will say that an increase in competition will ultimately mean lower prices for passengers.
What do the operators of the railway railway want to explore the tunnel of the Canal Manch?
Although the tunnel channel was opened for competition since 2010, no other operator tried to challenge the dominance of Eurostar. Nevertheless, recent normative changes and legal problems aroused interest in increasing, and several companies tried to provide new services.
A Virgin Group This is one of those companies that have announced the desire to launch Trans-Main railway services by 2029. Discussions about the train park are already carried out for the operation of the services.
Competition for access to Chunnelu is a consortium led by Spanish, known as Evolin, Which is aimed at launching services with high speed between London and Paris and, as indicated in the agreement with Alstom, on the acquisition of 12 trains with high service speeds.
Company Gemini trainLed by Lord Tony Berkeley, a British aristocrat and a former Eurotunnel engineer, is also trying to launch himself on the market. The twins applied for a license to maintain Paris, Strasbourg, Colony and Geneva with a park of 10 trains by 2029.
Other operators previously expressed interest in free access to the tunnel of the manchi channel. A Deutsche Bahn In 2010, he introduced a high -speed train in Saint Pancracy in London, noting his intention to connect London with directions in Germany, such as Frankfurt and Kolony. Nevertheless, he officially did not join the war of competitions for services.
The new report brings competition closer to Eurostar
Since the opening of the Mancu Tunnel in 1994, Eurostar has a monopoly on railway services between Great Britain and Europe. Although nothing prevented the new operators in the market, the entrance barriers were high.
To begin with, trains should be long enough to comply with the points of evacuation of tunnels, and there are several technical requirements that few manufacturers can satisfy. The cost of acquiring new trains that meet these requirements evaluated in From 35 to 60 million euros per train, He dissuaded competitors to enter the market.
To fulfill the Trans-Main service, operators also need a deposit. International Pankrates in London and the deposit of the Mills temple are under the control of Eurostar, which often claimed that the latter was already at the limit of its capacities.
Nevertheless, a new report put into operation of the British office of roads and railway roads (Orr) and made by independent IPEX consultants suggests that this is not necessarily true.
In his report, IPEX claims that the mills have “some” throughput of the mill for maintenance and storage of more trains. It says that part of the deposit container can be available immediately, without any changes, but the rest will be obtained by investment.
Virgin Group welcomed the report conclusions, saying that statements that suggest that Temple Mills will exhaust their ability to block Virgin candidacy for Trans-Main services. “There are no serious obstacles to overcoming, and Virgin is ready to accept the call.”
Nevertheless, Eurostar claims that the report confirms his statement that the deposit is at the limit of his ability. The press secretary confirms what Eurostar said from the very beginning: “The Temple Mills deposit is currently almost filled in for large maintenance work and will require investment to satisfy the growing requirements of international railway transport.”
Eurostar claims that the options presented in the report can create some power, but this will not be enough to accommodate any additional operator.
Will there be new useful options for the channel passengers?
It is believed that an increase in competition in Eurotunnel Services brings benefits to passengers. In any market, an increase in competition has a tendency to lower prices, the best services and greater choice, the Trans-Car railway railway markets are no different.
Yann Lerikh, the Executive Director of Getlink (the company that explores the Mancha tunnel channel) told BBC that with the competition “the market will be more dynamic, and all operators will improve their offer.”
“I like the Eurostar service, but the competition supports all the notifications,” says Mark Smith, also known as the person 61. “Additional power, which showed a decrease in prices. This is undoubtedly good news for travelers. ”
Although Eurotunnel service prices can decrease with growing competition, a greater choice is crucial for the attractiveness of railway options. The ability to travel directly to London from the cities of Germany, Switzerland and other countries is a good first step to make an iron path of a viable alternative to air travel and encourage passengers to choose this vehicle with fewer carbon emissions.
Smith also notes that there may also be more ties in the UK, since the Gemini trains announced the services from EBBSFleet in Kent. “The Eurostar does not want to do this,” he says. “We also hope that competitors will consider the possibility of facilitating access to bicycles and allowing dogs to enter.”