Gemini Trains, a new player in the high-speed rail industry, is set to challenge Eurostar’s long-standing dominance over the Channel Tunnel route. The start-up plans to introduce a variety of direct routes from London to European destinations, including Germany, with affordable starting fares of £59.
Gemini’s proposed services will connect London to Paris Nord, Disneyland Paris, and Charles de Gaulle Airport, with potential expansions to Brussels-Midi, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf. This move comes as Eurostar shifted its focus away from leisure destinations like Disneyland Paris due to the pandemic impact.
The London to Cologne route by Gemini is expected to take four hours compared to the current six-hour journey with transfers. However, these trains will not operate from St Pancras but will use Stratford International as a hub, accommodating stops at Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International.
Gemini plans to lease eight Siemens Velaro Novo trains, each capable of carrying 550 passengers, equipped with amenities like comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and mood lighting, including a business class option with privacy screens. The company aims to provide a fresh alternative to travelers looking to shift from air to rail travel.
While Gemini enters the market, other competitors like Virgin Trains, Trenitalia, and Evolyn are also eyeing the cross-channel service sector. Eurostar, in response, is investing in new double-decker trains and planning direct services to Geneva and Frankfurt via Cologne.
Adrian Quine, CEO of Gemini Trains, emphasized the need for innovation and competition in the industry, criticizing Eurostar’s lack of route expansion over the years. The battle for supremacy over the Channel Tunnel route seems set to intensify as new contenders aim to revitalize and diversify the high-speed rail market.
