Eurostar will add up to 50 new trains to its fleet and increase services in order to meet a ‘huge demand’

Eurostar is planning to purchase up to 50 new trains, and it’s considering adding more international routes to London in order to capitalize on the “huge demand” of rail travel throughout Europe.

Gwendoline Czenave is the chief executive officer of the train operator. She told T that the company was “in a race” to expand capacity, and this would require additional space in some stations.

She said, “Our services are in high demand.”

Eurostar Group was formed in 2022 by the merger of Eurostar and Thalys. Thalys is a train service that serves France, Belgium Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. It is Europe’s largest high-speed train operator.

Cazenave, the CEO of the enlarged company, said that the company was in discussions with train manufacturers about an order for 50 new trains. These would replace older rolling stocks and increase the fleet size by a third, from 51 to67 trains.

Cazenave stated that Eurostar “definitely” considered opening new routes between London and Europe to add to its existing services between London, Paris Amsterdam, and Brussels.

“With the new fleet, we will study new European routes and new routes in North America. . . By the end of this year or by early 2025, we should be able say more.”

Eurostar has significant difficulties getting passengers through its stations. This includes St Pancras, London. The passport checks introduced after Brexit in 2021 are a major factor.

Cazenave, however, said that these problems had been solved, and the average queue times were back to pre-Brexit levels. This was due to the introduction of new passport gates, as well as more border control officers.

Eurostar’s Amsterdam terminal is expanding, and Cazenave expects St Pancras in London to be redesigned over the next five to six years to create more space. She said that when the new fleet arrives, we will have larger stations.

Eurostar is still facing a possible headache due to the new EU biometric border controls, which are set to be implemented this year.

Cazenave expressed confidence that passengers will not be faced with long queues and said the owners of St Pancras intend to redesign certain parts of the station in order to create more space for travellers who are going through extra border checks.

Eurostar faces competition from other companies on the cross-channel route.

The Channel Tunnel operator said this month that five companies, including Virgin Group and a consortium supported by the largest shareholders of Mobico (formerly known as National Express) and Dutch startup Heuro, were “seriously” interested in launching rail services between the UK & Europe.

The tunnel is used by about 400 trains per day, including those that transport cars and freight. The tunnel can accommodate 1,000 people.

Eurostar had to reduce its fleet to avoid bankruptcy during the pandemic and stop using two stations in south-east England — Ebbsfleet, and Ashford.

Cazenave stated that Eurostar has no plans to reopen the stations. However, Eurostar is focused on growth after a successful performance in 2023. When I hear people saying Eurostar is shrinking, it makes me mad because it’s not true.

The number of passengers increased from 14.8mn to 19mn just last year. This led to a 26% increase in revenue to €2bn. Earnings prior to interest, taxes and depreciation grew by 8 per cent, reaching €423mn.

Over the last year, the company has been reorganized and its debt reduced from €964mn down to €650mn.

Cazenave stated that the speed of delivery for new trains would be a major factor in selecting a manufacturer.

It’s a race. The earlier the better. “The market is so competitive that we need to know which manufacturer can be ready the quickest.”