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As well as it being a story about 
(and I often write about 
), the will-Eurostar-go-bankrupt discussion is one about access, privilege, public service and competition, and even how 
sees itself
Beware, this is a bit of a ranty
(and I often write about ), the will-Eurostar-go-bankrupt discussion is one about access, privilege, public service and competition, and even how sees itselfBeware, this is a bit of a ranty
First of all, has just one genuine high speed rail service: Eurostar
It has one high-ish speed commuter service that uses the same tracks: Southeastern Javelin
That by definition makes rather different to 
etc. where there are domestic high speed services
has just one genuine high speed rail service: EurostarIt has one high-ish speed commuter service that uses the same tracks: Southeastern Javelin
That by definition makes
rather different to etc. where there are domestic high speed services
Then to Eurostar itself...
The service *was* a cooperation between the state railways of 
, and when rail was privatised, the 40% share was owned by the British state until they sold it in 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurostar_International_Limited
The service *was* a cooperation between the state railways of
, and when rail was privatised, the 40% share was owned by the British state until they sold it in 2015https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurostar_International_Limited
The essential point however: Eurostar - in terms of its structure - is still run as something akin to a cooperation between state owned railways, although it is a private company
And - importantly - it faces *no competition* from other rail firms
And - importantly - it faces *no competition* from other rail firms
Which then leads us to the problems of access and public service...
As the years have passed, so Eurostar has become a more and more premium service. Service levels have been reduced and prices increased. It is a de luxe product. It's often cheaper to fly instead.
As the years have passed, so Eurostar has become a more and more premium service. Service levels have been reduced and prices increased. It is a de luxe product. It's often cheaper to fly instead.
But how would you do anything about that?
You could introduce competition - italo vs. Trenitalia on the Milano-Roma route has driven up quality and driven down prices.
Operationally that would be hard - there are few trains in operation cleared to run through the tunnel
You could introduce competition - italo vs. Trenitalia on the Milano-Roma
route has driven up quality and driven down prices.Operationally that would be hard - there are few trains in operation cleared to run through the tunnel
Or you go back to the public service ethos - low cost rail for the masses - see how SNCF has offered OUIGO and Thalys IZY to cater to the lower cost market in
The problem for Eurostar is neither of these is on offer - because of the respective blind spots on the and sides
would be fine for there to be competition on the route, but when Deutsche Bahn was rumoured to be considering this, the onerous passport controls...
and sides would be fine for there to be competition on the route, but when Deutsche Bahn was rumoured to be considering this, the onerous passport controls...
... were what put them off. insists passengers are controlled before they board. There's no viable way to do that in Frankfurt(Main), Köln or Liège
Meanwhile doesn't want competition. SNCF still owns 55% of Eurostar, and until COVID hit it was a nice little earner.
insists passengers are controlled before they board. There's no viable way to do that in Frankfurt(Main), Köln or LiègeMeanwhile
doesn't want competition. SNCF still owns 55% of Eurostar, and until COVID hit it was a nice little earner.
Monopoly operator. No debate about public service. Rake in the cash! What's not to like?
In short: would like competition, but their border paranoia prevents it
don't want competition, but are 
about the border issue
So Eurostar is essentially stuck
In short:
would like competition, but their border paranoia prevents it don't want competition, but are about the border issueSo Eurostar is essentially stuck
And that then leads to the whining in the British political debate - that there should be no need to bail out Eurostar as it's only used by the privileged anyway
NO! Because if those people are not taking they are going to 
instead. It's not as if the trips won't happen!
NO! Because if those people are not taking
they are going to instead. It's not as if the trips won't happen!
And yes, Eurostar is too expensive, and yes, Eurostar matters much more to London and the South East than to the rest of the UK - but the infrastructure is there, the trains exist - make the most of it post-COVID!
The whole joyous ethos of the Channel Tunnel's construction was to allow more travel, and to open that up for *more* people. Where has that spirit gone in British politics?
The reaction to Eurostar's woes shouldn't be "it's just for the privileged ditch it!"...
travel, and to open that up for *more* people. Where has that spirit gone in British politics?The reaction to Eurostar's woes shouldn't be "it's just for the privileged
ditch it!"...
... but "make this high speed rail for everyone!"
It strikes me that the idea that international travel ought to be an aspiration for anyone from the UK - and that they ought to be able to do this by train - has been completely lost.
It strikes me that the idea that international travel ought to be an aspiration for anyone from the UK - and that they ought to be able to do this by train - has been completely lost.
Whether this can be solved via competition or some more public service orientated offer needs to be debated. But Eurostar cannot be left to fail - it is far too important for that!
/ends
/ends
