The long-standing monopoly on cross-Channel passenger rail services is set to face its most significant challenge yet, as a major European operator unveils ambitious plans to enter the UK market. Italian state-owned railway company Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, known as the FS Group, has announced its intention to run trains through the Channel Tunnel to Britain by 2029.
A Strategic Alliance to Enter the UK Market
This bold move follows the FS Group securing crucial support from Certares, an American private equity firm, as reported by The Telegraph. The alliance aims to directly compete with the incumbent Eurostar, which has held a monopoly on the London-Paris-Brussels route via the Tunnel for the past 31 years, and with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Trains, which is also preparing to launch services.
The competitive landscape shifted last year when the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) revealed it would allocate spare capacity at Eurostar's critical Temple Mills maintenance depot in Leyton, East London. This depot is the only facility accessible from High Speed 1, the line connecting London to the Channel Tunnel. In October, the ORR confirmed that Virgin Trains had been granted access to this vital depot space, a decision Sir Richard Branson hailed as an opportunity to 'shake-up the cross-Channel route'.
Overcoming Infrastructure Hurdles with a French Base
Having initially missed out on securing a spot at Temple Mills, the FS Group has devised an alternative strategy to overcome the infrastructure bottleneck. The company intends to base its fleet of 10 Channel Tunnel trains at a new maintenance facility being built in France, near Paris. This strategic decision means the Italian operator will not need to rely on the UK depot for overnight storage and servicing, allowing it to run services into London from its French base.
An FS Group spokesperson told The Telegraph: 'The company intends to further expand its network, including entry onto the Paris-London route and additional cross-border services.' Under the plan, one train would remain overnight at London St Pancras International to enable an early morning departure.
The Race for the Cross-Channel Passenger
The entry of a third major operator promises to intensify competition significantly. Virgin intends to begin its services from London St. Pancras to European destinations from 2030, meaning the FS Group could potentially beat it to market by a year if its 2029 target is met. Virgin's proposed routes include direct services from London to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels-Midi, and Amsterdam Central, with potential for future expansion into Germany and Switzerland.
To support its launch, Virgin has recently agreed with manufacturer Alstom to purchase 12 new Avelia Stream trains. Its venture is funded by investor Equitix and private equity firm Azzurra Capital. Furthermore, Virgin is in discussions with Kent County Council about the possibility of reopening Ebbsfleet International or Ashford International stations, which could see its services stopping in Kent.
The impending arrival of two powerful new competitors signals the end of an era for Eurostar's exclusive hold on the core Channel Tunnel passenger routes. For travellers, the increased choice and potential price competition between FS Group, Virgin Trains, and the established Eurostar could transform the market for journeys between the UK and mainland Europe.
