Rome further! Eurostar to go all way to Italy
EUROSTAR bosses are planning to run high-speed trains to new further-away countries such as italy, Spain and Portugal, transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed yesterday.
he said ministers are helping the company launch dozens of ‘seamless’ services from London to European cities and holiday destinations.
Currently the furthest Eurostar takes passengers is the south of France – around 800 miles from London.
But it is expected to extend its reach to cities like Rome (1,165 miles) and Lisbon (1,360). trains to eastern Europe are planned further down the line.
Mr Shapps said: ‘We are fully committed to expanding international rail
‘Seamless links across Europe’
routes as a Government – and Eurostar is too. Among those destinations mentioned to be added in the future is Bordeaux...Spain, Portugal, Geneva and beyond into the rest Switzerland, italy, Austria and Frankfurt.
‘Ultimately, we want to see seamless connections, with continental highspeed networks to destinations lighting up across the departure board.’
Eurostar currently runs direct services to Paris, Marseille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam on a fleet of 27 trains travelling at around 180mph. But the company is hoping to expand its reach dramatically following a planned merger with Franco- Belgian high- speed train firm thalys – set for completion in 2021.
this would put it in direct competition with low-cost airlines. it would also be seen as a more attractive option for travellers concerned about the harmful environmental impact of flying.
the mega-network – codenamed Project Green Speed – would connect London with a vast swathe of mainland Europe.
Eurostar, based in London, launched its first service in 1994 and is currently 55 per cent owned by French national rail firm SNCF with a Canadian investment company holding 30 per cent. Mr Shapps’ announcement came as Eurostar yesterday launched its first direct Amsterdam to London train.
the company has been running direct trains to the Dutch capital since 2018, but passengers wanting to return had to take a train to Brussels, go through customs and change.