Virgin Trains to rival Eurostar
UK regulator grants track access for up to 20 daily return services to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam from 2030, ending Eurostar's 30-year monopoly
Virgin Trains has been granted track access by the UK regulator to run new services between London and Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, potentially ending Eurostar's 30-year monopoly on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. The approval allows Virgin Trains to run up to 20 daily return services from 2030 to 2040.
The track access agreement, which covers the period from 1 October 2030 to 31 December 2040, is a significant step forward for Virgin Trains' plans to break into the international rail market. The company plans to run services between London St Pancras and the same stations in Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam used by Eurostar.
Virgin Trains was granted access to share Eurostar's Temple Mills depot in east London to maintain and store trains in October last year. The depot is the only one that can be accessed from High Speed 1, the line that runs between London and the Channel Tunnel. This access will enable Virgin Trains to prepare for the launch of its new services.
The Office of Rail and Road's deputy director of access and international, Martin Jones, said the approval was an important next step in bringing competition and growth to the market for international rail services. However, Virgin Trains still needs to obtain safety approvals from the ORR and EU regulators before launching the new services.
Virgin Trains plans to buy 12 high-speed trains from Alstom to operate on the route. The company's plans are moving forward, with a spokesperson saying that they welcome the ORR's pre-approval of their track access agreement and the opportunity to bring competition and Virgin's award-winning customer experience to the Channel Tunnel.
## What it means The approval of Virgin Trains' track access agreement marks a significant shift in the international rail market. Eurostar has held a monopoly on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel since it opened in 1994. The introduction of Virgin Trains' services will provide passengers with more options and potentially lead to increased competition and lower prices.
The move is also part of a larger trend of growing demand for international rail travel from the UK. Eurostar has announced plans to run double-decker trains through the tunnel, and a joint UK-German taskforce is considering plans for direct trains from London to Germany. The expansion of international rail services is expected to provide significant benefits for passengers, including increased convenience and flexibility.
## What happens next While the approval of the track access agreement is a significant step forward, Virgin Trains still needs to obtain safety approvals from the ORR and EU regulators. The company must also secure access to rail networks in mainland Europe before it can launch its new services. Once these hurdles are cleared, Virgin Trains is expected to launch its services, providing passengers with a new option for traveling between London and Europe.
