Truck Shuttles

Europe's vital transport link

Saving hauliers time across the Channel, Eurotunnel smooths the way for the transport of goods between the UK and the Continent, and is a vital link in Europe's transport infrastructure.

Unbeatable frequency

Eurotunnel operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offering hauliers an unrivalled frequency of service, equivalent to a departure every ten minutes from both sides of the Channel. Eurotunnel can transport up to 42,000 trucks on an average of 1,400 truck shuttle departures every week.

Eurotunnel's unrivalled frequency means that trucks can "turn-up-and-go", whilst direct motorway access on both sides of the Channel means that the average transit time from motorway to motorway is just 90 minutes. Account holders with Eurotunnel can also track their vehicles in real time 24 hours a day, whilst electronic ticketing and billing ensures an efficient after-sales service.

Assured reliability

Eurotunnel's success in the truck market is built on customer understanding. For today's haulier, reliability is as important as frequency with consignors demanding on time deliveries. Eurotunnel has seen dramatic improvements in reliability with 99% of truck shuttles departing on time in 2003*. Hauliers have come to depend on this high level of reliability to ensure the timely delivery of their goods.

* Departing within 10 minutes of planned departure time.

Putting the customer first

Throughout their journey with Eurotunnel, drivers receive a high quality of service. Checkin procedures are simple, ensuring a hassle-free entry to the system, including Rapid Service Passes for account holders, on-line approved vehicle registration lists and pre-order tickets. A recognition system for truck drivers new to Eurotunnel ensures they receive a "helping hand" through the system, in nine different languages. Once on board, drivers can relax in a club car with the 35-minute journey providing just enough time for a leisurely midshift break.

Always improving

Eurotunnel is constantly developing new products to meet the needs of its truck shuttle customers. In response to the growing number of Eastern European customers using the service, Eurotunnel now produces information in Polish, Czech, Slovak and Hungarian. For these non- EU trucks, the Eurotunnel Truck Stop at Ashford, Kent, has been developed to provide full customs clearance facilities. The Truck Stop provides secure parking for over 300 trucks with a wide range of services including accommodation, restaurant, petrol station, and a new environmentally friendly truck wash facility.

EurotunnelPlus

By creating new partnerships, Eurotunnel creates value for its customers by simplifying processes, and delivering solutions. EurotunnelPlus is a commercial network established with several European partners as a reference point for international truck operations and connections. In addition to the promotion of Eurotunnel's truck shuttle service, Eurotunnel-Plus offers customised solutions for smaller hauliers who may require additional services, such as motorway and Alpine Tunnel passes, non-competitive European ferry crossings, VAT recovery, customs clearance, and legal and breakdown assistance. EurotunnePlus acts as a "one stop shop" for the smaller haulier.

The creation of EurotunnelPlus to work with smaller customers has allowed Eurotunnel to reorganise its account management structure to deliver a more tailored service for customers, both large and small. Eurotunnel directly manages 300 key accounts, allowing the company to better understand individual haulier's needs.

Safety

Shuttle Services

Leader, shaper, mouldbreaker

Eurotunnel has revolutionised cross-Channel transport. Breaking down barriers to commercial and cultural opportunity, Eurotunnel connects Europe for both business and leisure, bringing people and businesses together to do things better, quicker, and smarter.

Leading the way for safety

Customers travelling with Eurotunnel can be assured that their safety and security is Eurotunnel's first priority. This is reflected in the design of the shuttles themselves, which are protected by a sophisticated array of smoke and fire detectors, suppression, and containment systems. Eurotunnel is also unique in having a service tunnel - the so-called "safe haven" - where the air supply is maintained at a higher pressure to prevent the ingress of any smoke from the main rail tunnels.

Pricing Pressure

Eurotunnel carried 2,278,999 cars during 2003, maintaining market share at 47%. The short straits car market declined by 2% for the full year compared to 2002, reflecting the uncertainty experienced by the European travel market as a result of the Iraq conflict, and competition from low cost airlines offering alternative leisure destinations. Price competition between operators was intense throughout 2003, with extended periods of promotional pricing resulting in a reduction in Eurotunnel's car revenues compared to 2002.

Overall, the coach market contracted by 10% compared to 2002, affected by the same factors as the car market. However Eurotunnel maintained its traffic volumes, increasing its market share by four points to 36%.