Virgin Trains a step closer to running services to Europe in blow to Eurostar
Guardian AU Business
β’Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:41:07 GMT
π° What Happened
Virgin Trains has been granted track access by the rail regulator to run as many as 20 daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030, moving closer to challenging Eurostar's monopoly on the cross-Channel passenger route. The Office of Rail and Road approved the track-access agreement, and Virgin has also secured access to a key UK depot to support the services. Virgin said the project could create about 400 UK jobs and bring competition and its award-winning customer experience to the Channel tunnel.
π The Backstory
Eurostar has long been the dominant operator on the cross-Channel passenger rail route, and Virgin's planned entry has been seen as a long-awaited attempt to open up competition. The operator has the brand and experience needed to launch a rival service, though a partnership and infrastructure steps still stand between approval and passengers on board. The regulator's pre-approval is a key procedural milestone.
π― Why It Matters
Granting track access brings European rail competition a decisive step closer for travellers who have until now faced Eurostar as the sole operator. Opening the route could affect prices, service quality and the broader shift of travellers from air to rail. It signals official commitment to creating genuine choice on one of Europe's busiest international rail corridors.
Virgin Trains has been granted track access by the rail regulator to run as many as 20 daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030, moving closer to challenging Eurostar's monopoly on the cross-Channel passenger route. The Office of Rail and Road approved the track-access agreement, and Virgin has also secured access to a key UK depot to support the services. Virgin said the project could create about 400 UK jobs and bring competition and its award-winning customer experience to the Channel tunnel.
Eurostar has long been the dominant operator on the cross-Channel passenger rail route, and Virgin's planned entry has been seen as a long-awaited attempt to open up competition. The operator has the brand and experience needed to launch a rival service, though a partnership and infrastructure steps still stand between approval and passengers on board. The regulator's pre-approval is a key procedural milestone.
Granting track access brings European rail competition a decisive step closer for travellers who have until now faced Eurostar as the sole operator. Opening the route could affect prices, service quality and the broader shift of travellers from air to rail. It signals official commitment to creating genuine choice on one of Europe's busiest international rail corridors.