London to Milan direct after St Pancras expansion [The Times]

6 comments

1. A planned overhaul of the station will triple capacity as the owner seeks to attract more train operators to compete with Eurostar.

   Plans to triple the number of international passengers at St Pancras station could open up new cross-Channel routes to France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

   London St Pancras Highspeed, the company responsible for the station and the high-speed track to Folkestone, formerly known as HS1, hopes that the redesigned terminal will attract new railway operators to compete with Eurostar.

   It has produced plans to expand the international departure area and accommodate up to 5,000 passengers an hour, an increase from 1,800 an hour.

   London St Pancras Highspeed and Getlink, the French operator of the Channel Tunnel, have agreed to work together to “grow international rail connectivity between the UK and Europe”.

   Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Evolyn, a new company set up by investors in National Express, are among the rival operators seeking to [compete on the cross-Channel route](https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/eurostar-english-channel-tunnel-operator-four-years-9bd9hr2q8). Virgin is preparing to order a dozen high-speed trains to run through the tunnel.

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3. This would be absolutely terrific as I’d much rather visit Milan than Paris, but I can already tell you the cost delta between Eurostar and flying will be so huge it’ll make it impossible for even a railway enthusiast and green travel enthusiast like me to consider it.

4. Who cares. I’ve needed to travel into Europe several times for work where I could take the train and on every occasion it’s far cheaper and quicker for me to get the train to Gatwick and fly to wherever I’m going.

   I could see the point if Eurostar offered an enjoyable experience, but the seats are uncomfortable, cramped and heavily subscribed.

5. South of Paris to Milan, the line goes up the mountains and crawls along for hours.

6. Thank you for sharing! I want to receive an email newsletter from the times but it looks like you have to pay for an account.

   Can you explain you were notified of this article so I can sign up? I’m assuming it’s free.

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