Virgin Trains gets go ahead to run services to Europe in new blow to Eurostar monopoly
Summary
Virgin Trains has received approval from the UK rail regulator to run up to 20 daily passenger services through the Channel Tunnel between London and cities like Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam starting in 2030. This decision allows Virgin to challenge Eurostar’s long-standing control over international rail travel through the tunnel.Key Facts
- The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) granted Virgin Trains track access for services from October 2030 to December 2040.
- Virgin Trains can run up to 20 new daily return trips on the cross-Channel route.
- Virgin was previously given access to Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot in London to maintain and store trains.
- Eurostar has had a monopoly on passenger rail services through the Channel Tunnel since 1994.
- Virgin plans to run trains from London’s St Pancras station to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
- Virgin aims to invest £700 million in this project and expects to create around 400 UK jobs.
- Virgin still must secure access to other rail networks and obtain safety approvals from UK and EU regulators before starting the services.
- The ORR sees this as a step toward increasing competition and growth in international rail travel from the UK.
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