Traveling the Eurotunnel will be cheaper: competition could reduce rates by 30%
Over the following 15 years, the passengers of the tunnel railway line under the Mancha channel They could tripleWhile the rates could go down almost a third. These are the conclusions of a new report made by the consultant Steer and commissioned by London St. Pancras Highspeed, owner of the streets and station that serve the tunnel Under the La Mancha channel.
The study involves an increase in the number of passengers of the 11 million current every year to 35 million in 2040. This planned growth, together with greater competition on the route, could reduce rates up to 30%, concludes the analysis.
We are already planning to double the transport capacity of international passengers in St. Pancras. Currently, Admits up to 1,800 international passengers per hourBut the operator wants up to 5,000 passengers per hour.
To facilitate, London St. Pancras Highspeed and Eurotúnel are collaborating Shortens travel timesimprove the coordination of the times e introduce more frequent services. The changes of the station itself include the reconfiguration of the existing spaces and the construction of new structures to host more passengers.
Why do we expect Eurotúnel rates to decrease?
Expected The 30% reduction of rates occurs accordingly of the largest competition and growth of the demand for railway travel through the tunnel under the La Mancha channel.
At the moment, Eurostar He is the only operator on the Eurotunnel route. As with any monopoly regime, rates and prices are artificially infected in the absence of competition. With new operators competing for putting their trains on the route, Other options will stimulate competitionwhich naturally reduced prices.
You must also take into account the economies of scale. The planned growth of the application it could reduce global costs From passengers for operators. The fixed costs of the exploitation of trains can be distributed between a greater number of passengers, allowing companies to reduce the price of their tickets a little.
The new financial incentives introduced by London St. Pancras Highspeed contribute to reducing railway connections Through the La Mancha channel. As part of the incentive plan for international growth, new and existing operators of the HS1 line can obtain 1 pound discounts (1.17 euros) for transporting additional passengers, which will be included in a joint background for marketing and the growth of passengers.
New services can get Discounts on the line of use of rates up to 50% In the first year, 40% in the second and 30% in the third. The relationship is largely based on the change in consumer behavior and the tendency to More sustainable travel options. As the passenger base increases, operators can offer lower rates and compete in better conditions with low -stop airlines.
Which railway operators bring competition to the tunnel
The channel tunnel has been open to competition since 2010, but the High costs of launching services And the acquisition of trains to travel the route discouraged the new operators to compete.
Recent regulatory changes and the implementation of the incentives are aroused A new interest through railway services through Sleeve channelAnd several operators have already launched their application.
Him Virgin group He expressed his desire to launch the railway services through the La Mancha channel in 2029. The acquisition of a train fleet is already in the negotiation phase. Also competes A Spanish consortium, evanyn, Those who want to launch a high -speed service between London and Paris and have announced that they have reached an agreement with Aldo to acquire 12 high -speed trains.
Gemini Trains Company, led by Lord Tony Berkeley, the British aristocrat and former Eurotunnel engineer participates in the project. Twins requested a Operator license To serve Paris, Strasbourg, Cologne and Geneva with a fleet of 10 trains in 2029.
More recently, it has been known The Italian Stoto Railways They are studying services through the channel and collaborate with Eviantn to achieve this.
Other operators have already expressed interest Open access to the tunnel under the La Mancha channel. In 2010, Deutsche Bahn presented a high -speed train in St, Pancras, underlining his intention London connect with destinations In Germany, such as Frankfurt and Cologne. However, the war of offers for services has not yet been officially united.
ADVERTISINGWhere could I go through the Eurotunnel and when?
Although the conversations are still in an initial phase, the new competitors proposed in the channel tunnel services Could open railway connections directed by Many other European cities From London. Paris is a key destination and will involve direct competition with Eurostar. Ferrovie, Virgin Group and Eviant have mentioned the Paris services in their communications to date.
Moreover, Virgin wants to connect London with Amsterdam and BrusselsWhile Getlink He wants to offer direct services to German and Swiss cities, such as Frankfurt, Cologne, Geneva, Zurich and Milan. Most of the companies include a launch between 2029 and 2030. However, Evanyn indicates a more ambitious beginning in 2026, although this period may be optimistic given the challenges placed by the entrance to the market.
From the search for space to store and keep the trains in cash for the purchase of the equipment itself, the entrance barriers are still high. At the beginning of April positive signals were received when the Strada and Railways of the United Kingdom railway concluded that Eurostar It is necessary to facilitate access to new operators at the Mills Temple depositAn important obstacle to any new operator. He also stated that HS1 line rates were too high, 30 euros for mile, the most expensive in Europe.
Virgin Group said it was “A green signal for the competition“, Although Eurostar claims that Temple Mills is at the limit of its ability and cannot admit even a new operator. The new channel tunnel trains will use to arrive, but the increase in competition will undoubtedly serve to reduce prices to the traveler.
ADVERTISINGIn addition to the lowest rates, the increase in competition it could significantly reduce carbon footprint of travel, since more passengers opt for this option of low broadcasts. The high -speed train can reduce CO₂ emissions up to 90% compared to the plane.
