Two of the most famous names in European high-speed rail are now one, but just where they are going has some serious questions.
Eurostar, which operates the Channel tunnel trains and Thalys, which runs high-speed trains connecting France, Belgium and the Netherlands have merged and will now operate with a new logo under the name Eurostar Group. Both companies were previously majority owned by France’s SNCF, with Belgium’s rail operator SNCB as a smaller partner.
The company says it hopes to improve connections to Germany, serve more European cities, and double its passenger volume by 2030. But despite that optimism, there are issues ahead.
For one, capacity to and from the UK has been sharply reduced, with trains originating in London capped at about 60% of capacity, because post-Brexit customs and immigration rules require more processing of British passports at both ends of the line, while there are fewer staff to do so.
While the UK partner, HS1 is now talking enthusiastically about a long-delayed plan for direct trains to Bordeaux from London, Eurostar has still not been able to restore the London-to-Disneyland Paris route because of staff issues and the immigration piece. As well, there is little money for expansion because the company has not recouped its pandemic financial losses.
