Eurostar orders double-decker trains for Channel Tunnel
Eurostar announced on Wednesday plans to introduce double-decker trains for Channel Tunnel operations amid rising competition on routes connecting London with mainland Europe. The company confirmed orders for 30 Alstom-built electric trains with options for 20 additional units, representing a 2 billion euro investment aimed at boosting annual ridership to 30 million by decade’s end. Each 200-meter train will accommodate roughly 540 passengers, with the capacity to couple two sets for increased service.
The new fleet will replace most existing trains and begin operations in 2031, supporting expanded service to London from Geneva and Frankfurt. Seat capacity will grow 20 percent per train compared to current models. Several European operators have expressed interest in breaking Eurostar’s 30-year passenger service monopoly on cross-Channel routes. Virgin Group targets a 2029 launch for Channel Tunnel service after British regulators opened access to Eurostar’s London maintenance facility for competing operators.
