Eurostar set to face competition in Channel Tunnel

Paris, Mar. 21, (dpa/GNA) – Eurostar trains look set to face competition on the link between mainland Europe and Britain through the Channel Tunnel.

Channel Tunnel operator Getlink said on Monday that Spanish state rail company Renfe is considering using the link. Getlink said it would support the project as it could give a new boost to traffic through the Channel Tunnel and give travellers more choice.

It was not initially clear if the Renfe trains would run straight from London to Spain via France.

It may take five to 10 years for the start of operations.

Eurostar is a subsidiary of the French state rail firm SNCF and runs trains from Paris and Brussels to London. The coronavirus crisis caused a slump in passenger numbers for Eurostar.

SNCF is seeking to merge Eurostar with its Thalys brand, which is the high-speed link from Paris to Brussels, Amsterdam and western Germany.

GNA