Eurostar cuts routes and UK-based staff

STAFF cuts of around 20% are likely for Eurostar’s UK-based employees, according to the RMT union.

There are also plans for reduced hours and part-time working, with Eurostar services having been operating on a restricted basis since late-March.

The job cuts outlined by the company suggest one or both Kent stations (Ebbsfleet and Ashford International) could lose Eurostar services for the next few years.

‘Uncertainty’

No Eurostar services have used either since late-March and it appears none are likely to for the rest of this year.

Eurostar has also announced it will not run its London to Marseilles service in 2020 or 2021, saying it wasn’t possible “because of the uncertainty around what travel restrictions and safety measures will still be in place”.

The London to Bourg St Maurice winter sports train will also not run for the 2020/2021 winter season.

Eurostar says it intends to “focus our timetable on routes between capital cities which have the highest demand from customers at the moment and shorter journey times for the next 18 months at least”.

By mid-July, Eurostar had increased the number of services operated after the UK government decided to exempt arrivals from France and Belgium from the 14-day coronavirus quarantine.

The operator was offering thousands of discounted tickets to stimulate demand this year.

The UK, along with the

French, Belgian and Dutch governments, finally signed the necessary treaty documents in Brussels on July 7, allowing juxtaposed immigration controls for Amsterdam/Rotterdam to London services, which will allow passengers to be checked prior to departure, and successively by border officials countries en route.

Agreements

The agreements allow UK Border Force officials to work in Amsterdam and Rotterdam while French police work in the UK.

The new documents amend agreements signed in 1993 between the UK, France and Belgium to include the Netherlands.

Services from London to the Netherlands restarted on July 9, but when direct return services will begin was not known in late-July.

Until the change is implemented, passengers will still need to clear UK borders in Brussels, which enforces a change of train when coming from Amsterdam.