Railways

Eurotunnel provides safe, efficient access for its railway customers, including Eurostar for high-speed passenger-only services between London, Paris and Brussels, and SNCF and EWS for rail freight services. Rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel fall into three main categories: intermodal containers and swap bodies, conventional wagons and international car transports

Eurostar

At 6,314,795 the number of passengers* carried through the Tunnel by Eurostar in 2003 fell by 4% compared to 2002. However, the fourth quarter saw an increase of 15% compared to the same period in 2002 following the successful opening of the first phase of the UK high-speed rail link on 28 September. This new line enables Eurostar passengers to travel between London and Paris in 2 hours 35 minutes, London and Brussels in 2 hours 20 minutes, and London and Lille in 1 hour 40 minutes.

* The passenger number given is for Eurostar passengers who travelled through the Channel Tunnel, and excludes passengers between Paris and Calais or Brussels and Lille.

Rail freight

Rail freight tonnage carried through the Tunnel increased by 19% to 1,743,686 in 2003 as the service continued to recover from the disruption to services caused by asylum-seekers during 2002.

Revenues from Eurostar and Rail Freight services through the Tunnel are protected by the Minimum Usage Charge paid to Eurotunnel by the Railways. This agreement continues until November 2006.

Eurotunnel: a trans-European rail freight operator

With the European rail freight market opened up to competition on 15 March 2003, Eurotunnel applied to the French transport and maritime secretary for a Railway Operator's Licence. This licence will enable Eurotunnel to develop new point-to-point traction services for complete trains between the Continent and the UK. A new subsidiary company, Europorte II, will undertake this activity. The first international connection will be between Italy and the UK. This service should begin by the end of 2004 or early 2005 with five trains per week in each direction, rising to 30 trains per day in each direction by 2008.