The high-speed rail link between Paris and London via the Channel Tunnel. WhileEurostar has just merged with Thalys and is preparing to launch its first brand campaignthe project Evolyn is entering a new phase with the order for 12 TGVs type Avelia (+ 4 options) fromAlstom. Supported by the Spanish group Cosmenshareholder with 18.5% of Mobico Group (formerly National Express), Evolyn is announcing the mobilisation of one billion pounds sterling (i.e. €940m) for the creation of these high-speed trains, which will be delivered from 2025 to begin their certification campaign and commercial operation from 2026. In a press release, the future operator stated its intention to ". offer a competitive alternative in terms of service and price on a strategic, high-demand route that currently has only one operator" .
Channel Tunnel capacity only used at 50%
Getlinkthe Channel Tunnel operator, immediately welcomed the announcement, which " confirms the growth potential of the cross-Channel passenger rail market" . The press release went on to state that " the tunnel and the rail networks connected to it are designed to carry more than 20 million passengers high-speed trains across the Channel every year, which is almost double the current level" . The tunnel is therefore open access, guaranteeing fair access for any railway company wishing to operate rail services between the British and European networks.
A strong challenger is on the horizon for Eurostar (55% of which is owned by SNCF), Mobico Group being a transport operator with solid backings whose 46,000 employees make you travel 977 million passengers a year in eleven countries Mobico has been operating in the UK, Germany, the USA, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Ireland, Australia and elsewhere since June this year, when it changed its name from National Express, although the latter remains one of the UK brands. It should be noted that in 2017 this group sold the operation of its C2C rail network (East London and South Essex) to Trenitalia which is also rumoured to be planning a move onto this strategic railway line in the next few years.
A plethora of candidates since the opening to competition in 2010
Before Evolyn, the Deutsche Bahn attempted in 2009 totake a major stake in Eurostar before considering operating under its colours on the Paris-London route. The financial cost of this launch, but above all the technical complexity of the trainsets needed to operate on the different networks and in the Channel Tunnel, were the main reasons for this project not to go ahead. Other contenders such as a tandem Air France-Véolia as well as Renfe also studied the question for a while before throwing in the towel for the same reasons. Alstom's Avelia, the train chosen by Evolyn, ticks all the boxes in this respect. With a capacity of 740 passengers with its two levels (i.e. 40% more than a TGV without levels), this train consumes 30% less energy than the previous generation and allows cross-border operation integrating both national ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) systems and four levels of electrical voltage. With the aim of increasing cross-Channel passenger traffic, Getlink finally floated the idea in 2022 of acquiring high-speed trains - from Germany's Siemens this time - in order to lease them to the company that agreed to take on the adventure. Getlink could also be involved in the future Evolyn/Mobico project. according to some market rumours. Stay tuned...
