Following new Spanish rail operator Evolyn’s announcement that it would serve the London-Paris line, Richard Branson is reportedly preparing to resume Virgin Trains services after a four-year gap to service the cross-Channel route.
According to the telegraph.co.uk, Phil Whittingham, Virgin Trains’ former boss, is holding discussions with infrastructure officials to serve routes from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. However, a spokesperson from Virgin said: “Virgin doesn’t comment on rumour or speculation.”
Eurostar monopolised rail services until recently when the EU liberalised its rail networks, forcing European countries to open their high-speed rail networks to foreign bidders.
Evolyn aims to launch its fleet in 2025, the first competition to Eurostar in 30 years.
Eurostar recently announced that it would no longer serve Ashford or Ebbsfleet stations in Kent, following the suspension of this route in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Eurostar’s Amsterdam service is also under threat due to renovations at Amsterdam Central Station and could be suspended for 2024.
The new operators are expected to fill these gaps. This is a bit vague
