Eurostar orders first double-decker trains to run through Channel Tunnel | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Double-decker trains: Trains with two passenger levels, designed to increase seating capacity.
• Channel Tunnel: The undersea railway tunnel connecting Folkestone, UK, with Coquelles, France.
• Eurostar: The international high-speed passenger rail service that connects the UK with continental Europe.
• Alstom: A French multinational rolling stock manufacturer.
• Capacity improvement: Increasing the number of seats or passengers that can be transported.
• Frequencies: The number of train services operating on a particular route within a given period.
• Bespoke design: Custom-made or specially designed for a particular purpose or customer.
• International demand: The desire or need for travel between countries.
• Competitive landscape: The environment in which businesses operate, including the presence and actions of competitors.
• St. Pancras International: The London terminus for Eurostar services.
• Depot: A facility for storing and maintaining trains.
• Industrial and service setup: The infrastructure, resources, and operational arrangements required for a service.

Eurostar's Introduction of Double-Decker Trains

Expansion Plans and Capacity Increase

Eurostar has announced plans to introduce the first double-decker trains through the Channel Tunnel. This strategic move involves an order for up to 50 new trains from the manufacturer Alstom, which will significantly increase Eurostar's fleet size by nearly one-third. Each of these new 400-meter-long trains is designed to accommodate over a thousand seats. The company anticipates that these new double-decker services will commence operations between London and Paris in 2031.

Rationale for Double-Decker Trains

Gwendoline Cazenave, the CEO of Eurostar, explained the company's decision to introduce double-decker trains. The primary driver is to meet the growing international demand for travel between the UK and continental Europe. These new trains represent a substantial "capacity improvement," particularly on the London to Paris route. Cazenave stated that the introduction of these trains will add three additional frequencies between London and Paris, resulting in an increase of 2 million seats per year compared to current offerings.

Beyond increased capacity, the double-decker trains are intended to offer enhanced comfort and a "very special experience" for customers, as they are being "bespoke designed for our customers." This signifies a new and unique travel experience for Eurostar passengers.

Addressing Concerns About Tunnel Size

The announcement has surprised some who assumed the Channel Tunnel was too small to accommodate double-decker trains. Cazenave clarified that this is a valid question and explained that the decision was made after careful consideration during the development of Eurostar's new strategy. The project was designed to "face the demand" for increased international travel. She confirmed that double-decker trains on the Alstom platform are indeed capable of crossing the Channel Tunnel and can operate on the UK network, as well as the French, Belgian, Dutch, German, and Swiss networks. This capability is what now allows Eurostar to order these trains.

Competition and Market Access

The introduction of new capacity through double-decker trains has raised concerns about the potential impact on competitors operating within the Channel Tunnel. Specifically, there are worries that the new capacity and potential need for new depots could hinder competitors' ability to operate.

Cazenave addressed this by stating that Eurostar is not in a position to dictate which operators enter the market or how the competitive landscape evolves. She emphasized that Eurostar's "job, our purpose, our perspective and our strategy is to be here to serve our customers." This suggests that Eurostar's focus remains on enhancing its own services and meeting customer demand, rather than actively managing or limiting competition. The transcript mentions that "operators are asking to operate to St. Pancras station to depot to have you know all the setup and the industrial and service setup to be able to operate," indicating that other operators are seeking access to the necessary infrastructure.

Conclusion

Eurostar's strategic decision to introduce double-decker trains is a significant step towards addressing the growing demand for international rail travel. The new trains, ordered from Alstom, will substantially increase seating capacity, particularly on key routes like London to Paris, and are designed to offer an enhanced passenger experience. While the technical feasibility of operating double-decker trains through the Channel Tunnel has been confirmed, the move also brings to the forefront discussions about the competitive dynamics within the tunnel. Eurostar's stated commitment is to customer service, positioning its expansion as a response to market needs rather than an attempt to impede competitors. The first of these new services are expected to launch in 2031.