Whilst in theory, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link is open to anyone, in practice – only a few companies have ever run on it.
Could a new operator be going into the Eurotunnel – With Franco-British sreet artist YZ’s artwork “I will always see you” – Image, Getlink
Well, that seems to be changing with a start-up called Evolyn announcing its intention to run international services between London and Europe, via the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
If it does so, it will be the first time that Eurostar (the incumbent operator) will face direct passenger competition.
Evolyn seems to be planning to launch services in 2025, with them purchasing 12 Alstom High-speed trainsets, with the option to scale to 16. These will be based on the Alstom AVELIA family – what is the “next generation” of SNCF’s TGV.
The aim by them is to offer a modern, innovative and sustainable transport alternative to the more than 11 million passengers who travel between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe every year.
The project has been in development for three years, involving an estimated total investment of £1 billion GBP. It is led by the Spanish Cosmen family and is backed by important British and French industrial and financial partners to give stability to the project.
In Quotes
Jorge Cosmen, CEO of EVOLYN said:
“The acquisition of 12 high-speed, state-of-the-art trains, to be expanded to a minimum of 16 according to our forecasts, is the definitive step in the materialization of EVOLYN, a high-speed rail operator that has been under development for three years and that today marks a very important milestone. We know that the governments of the United Kingdom and France welcome a project that will allow their citizens to increase the connection options between the UK and several countries in continental Europe with a green alternative that will also contribute to decarbonization”
Happiness from Getlink
Getlink, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Eurotunnel, is the manager of the Channel Tunnel infrastructure and is happy, noting that it is designed to carry more than 20 million high-speed passengers across the Channel each year, almost double the current level.
They also note that The Channel Tunnel operates on an open access basis, meaning that any rail operator can use it to travel between the British and European networks, guaranteeing them an equal right of access.
In Quotes
Yann Leriche, Chief Executive of Getlink, said:
“The announcement by Evolyn confirms the economic and technical attractiveness of the conditions for access to Eurotunnel’s infrastructure, as well as the huge potential for growth in high-speed rail traffic through the Channel Tunnel.”
The state of play
The Channel Tunnel Rail Link has three major users:
- Eurostar (The London – Paris/Brussels/Amsterdam Service
- Le Shuttle (the Folkstone to Calais car carrying service).
- DB Cargo (providing freight-hauled service)
In the past, there have been trials with SNCF sending a La Poste TGV through, as well as Deutsche Bahn who sent an ICE3 over as a prelude to starting service… that never happened.
This could be what needed to kick Eurostar
There has been a sense of staleness in the market, with exciting possibilities raised by companies – only to be dashed. And Eurostar’s innovation has hardly been… interesting, other than the merger of them and Thayls into one operation with new branding.
Since 2020, services have been cut, as well as calling points (both Ashford and Ebbsfleet International have not seen service since the pandemic.
Evolyn hasn’t made its intention clear on its network – however, we can take a guess that the London Terminal will be St Pancras – the end of HS1, given that the proposed trains would be too large to operate elsewhere on the British Railway network.
As to where in Europe, the Paris/Brussels axis will be tempting (as well as having border controls in situ already). Amsterdam could also work. However, a little creativity (and a customs outpost at Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy) would open the entire French High Speed Network network up as well.
I am more than curious to see their plans and network – and if they are going for market share or innovation.
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