A new train operating company, Gemini Trains, is being established to offer competitive fares and high-quality, frequent train services between the UK and continental Europe.
Chaired by Lord Tony Berkeley, Gemini has applied to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for an open access licence to operate between London and Paris, with other routes planned to follow. It has also applied for access to Eurostar’s Temple Mills International maintenance depot, and is in discussion with key stakeholders around other train maintenance facilities.
With plans for brand new cutting-edge trains and a fresh approach to sales and ticketing, Gemini has attracted a highly experienced team of rail executives who are committed to bringing independently run ‘Open Access’ services to compete on cross channel routes for the benefit of international passengers.
The EU is encouraging new independent commercial ‘Open Access’ operators who are free of government control. Across the continent, including in France, Italy, Spain and the UK, Open Access operators have created shift from road and air to rail, improving choice and value for the customer. With significant passenger growth forecast, the Channel tunnel route is ideally suited to ‘Open Access’ competition.
Over the last two years the Gemini team has been working to mobilise these services.
Chair Lord Berkeley said: “Our team has real strength, depth, vision and dynamism and is superbly placed to offer customers choice on what is currently a monopoly route”.
CEO Adrian Quine said: “The high-speed line connecting London and the continent through the Channel Tunnel is one of the great rail routes. With a whole new generation now choosing trains over planes, there is a great opportunity to bring real entrepreneurial flair and dynamism with competitive fares to Europe’s premier route”.
Image credit: iStockphoto.com/den-belitsky
