Branson's Virgin Trains Topples Eurostar Monopoly
- Editor OGN Daily
- 2 hours ago
- 1 min read
Virgin Trains has been cleared to launch international services through the Channel Tunnel, bringing an end to Eurostar’s monopoly for the first time in more than 30 years.
Eurostar has held a monopoly on passenger services through the tunnel connecting England to France since it opened in 1994. A cheerful Sir Richard Branson said: “The decision is the right one for consumers. It’s time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route."
“Virgin is no stranger to delivering award-winning rail services. And just as we have successfully challenged incumbents in air, cruise and rail, we’re ready to do it again. We’re going to shake up the cross-Channel route for good and give consumers the choice they deserve.”
In a post on social media, he added that Virgin have “always believed in a little healthy competition”.
From 2030, Virgin intends to run services from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam Centraal - with ambitions to expand further across France, and into Germany and Switzerland.
Lord Peter Hendy, the UK rail minister, said he was “incredibly pleased” with the decision by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), adding that it “marks a significant step towards growth and a more competitive international rail market”.