Europe may soon get simpler access to its multinational high-speed train networks as French rail operator SNCF, which holds majority ownership in both Eurostar and Thalys pushes a plan to merge the two.
Eurostar operates high-speed trains between the UK and several European cities, may soon by joined by Thalys, which operates similar trains connecting cities in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. SNCF says the plan will be more efficient for the company and less confusing for customers.
The plan, called ‘Greenspeed,’ would have to be approved by the boards not only of the two companies, but of their owners. The combined entity would be under SNCF’s control.
SNCF owns 55% of Eurostar; the rest is split among Quebec’s investment arm (30%), the UK’s Hermes Infrastructure (10%) and Belgium’s national rail operator (5%). Thalys is 60% owned by SNCF, with the other 40% held by SNCB, the Belgian rail operator.
