For nearly three decades, Eurostar The railway operator was the only circular to a tunnel English channeldelivery UK with Europa Continental. But modern organizational changes and increasing demand for travel options with less carbon emissions have sparked competition.
UK and Europe companies are keen to obtain a portion of the market, but start services It was not easy. The expensive trains, the limited space of their services, maintenance and storage, and the eurostar field to preserve Monopoly. But things begin to change.
and New report Responsible for the Roads and Railways Office ruled this Eurostar must facilitate the arrival of new operators To deposit the temple factories. He also demanded that HS1, a high -speed rail link between London and the tunnel, reduces its rates about 30 euros per mile. They are currently the highest rates in Europe.
Each barrier is also demolished, Expect new options To cross the La Mancha channel. Many companies trust the success of their offers and claim that the increase in competition will ultimately translate into lower prices for travelers.
What does the railway operators want to exploit the channel’s tunnel services?
Although the channel tunnel has been open to competition since 2010, no other operator has tried to challenge the Eurostar field. But the latest Standard changes and Legal challenges They have accelerated attention, as many companies compete to provide new services.
Virgin Group He is one of them and expressed his desire to launch railway services through La Mancha channel 2029. The acquisition of a fleet of trains for service is already negotiated.
It is also competing to reach a Spanish “Chunnel” CHUNIL EvolinWho wants to launch high -speed services between London and Paris and indicated that he had reached an agreement with Alstom For 12 high -speed service trains.
The company also presented its nomination Gemini trainsDirected by Lord Tony Berkeley, British Aristocrat and former Eurotunnel Engineer. Gemini requested the operator’s license to serve the Paris, Strasbourg, Cologne and Guinve, with 10 trains in 2029.
Other operators have already mentioned their interest in open access to the tunnel under the La Mancha channel. Deutsche Ban He offered a high -speed train at St. Pancras in 2010, indicating its intention to link London to destinations in Germany, such as Frankfurt and Sollon. However, the offers of offers for services have not yet been added.
New report on the Eurostar competition
From the opening of the tunnel under the La Mancha channel in 1994Eurostar maintained the monopoly of railway services between the United Kingdom and Europe. Although nothing prevented new operators from adventure on the market, Entry barriers From the course long.
First of all, the trains must be long enough to comply with the evacuation points in the tunnels, and there are many Technical requirements Many manufacturers can meet. The cost of obtaining new trains that meet these requirements, which is estimated at 35 and 60 million euros per train, has sparked competitors to enter the market.
To run a service through La Mancha channel, operators also need Deposit. ST Pancras International, in London, is subject to Mills Temple Mills maintenance, to EUROSTAR, which has often claimed that Mills Temple is already on the limits of its ability.
However, a New reportEmployed by the UK Roads and Roads and Railways Office, and made by independent advisor Ipex, indicates that this is not necessarily true. In its report, Ipex states that there is a “some” capacity in the temple factories to attend, maintain and store more trains. It is reported that it can be accessed by capacity immediately, without changes, but the rest will be achieved through investments.
Virgin group applauded Report conclusionsCommenting on the phrases that indicate that the Temple Mills was within the limits of its ability to prevent Virgin’s services to the services of La Mancha. Finally one Green signal “For competition,” says a virgin spokesman. There are no important obstacles to overcoming them, and Firjen is ready to accept the challenge. “
but, Eurostar argues that the report verifies the validity of his statement The deposit is in its ability. A spokesman said: “Eurostar said all the time: The deposit of the temple factories is almost full today for the main maintenance work and requires an investment to meet the increasing demands of international railways.” Eurostar notes that the report options can create some capacity, but it will not be enough to host one additional operator.
propagandaWill the new passengers options on La Mancha channel will be good?
In general, he considers that Increase competition In Eurotunnel services, you benefit from passengers. In any market, more competition is usually translated into lower prices, better services, more possibilities for selection, and Railways market Through the La Mancha channel, it is not different.
Yan Lerish, the general manager of Getlink (the company that exploits the tunnel under the channel De La Mancha), “BBC”, thanks to the competition, will be the market. More dynamicAnd all operators will improve their offer. “I love Eurostar, however The competition keeps each case on alertMark Smith says. It turns out that the additional capacity that this will mean It reduces prices. It is undoubtedly good news for travelers. “
Although the prices of the Eurotunnel service can decrease when the competition increases, its presence More options It is important to attract railway options. The ability to travel directly to London from cities in Germany, Switzerland and other countries is a good first step to make the railway an applicable alternative to plane and encouraging passengers to move to these means of transportation with lower infidels emissions.
Smith also indicates that there may also be more links in UKSince Guei Trains announced services from EBBSFLEET, in Kent. “Eurostar does not want to do this,” he says. “We also hope that the competitors will consider facilitating access to the bike and allowing dogs.”
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