Uber has revealed plans to run trains to Europe from Stratford in east London
In recent years cross-Channel ambitions have been revealed by the likes of Deutsche Bahn and Evolyn, while Virgin has announced a new service that will be a direct competitor with the OG London-Paris line, due to launch in 2029.
Now there's been an update for yet another Eurostar competitor. It involves Gemini Trains, which is led by Labour peer Tony Berkeley and was launched back in March. Gemini will be teaming up with Uber to launch a new international train line, that could take Londoners en train to Paris and Brussels from Stratford in the heart of east London.
'Stratford is a bit of a blank canvas,' said Adrian Quine, chief executive of Gemini Trains. 'It's a bit like London City airport as opposed to Heathrow or Gatwick: it's very quick and easy to get through. It's going to be far less crowded, so we think it's a bit of a jewel in the crown.'
When the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (AKA High Speed 1, HS1) was built back in 2007 Stratford International station was fitted out to handle passengers heading across the Channel from London, but it was never used for this purpose. The HS1 Stratford station has only been used by domestic Southeastern trains using the high-speed track to stations in Kent.
Quine said a Stratty to Paris train could be 'as quick, if not quicker' than the service from St Pancras. He said that Londoners could be hopping on in east London and hopping off at Paris Nord or Brussels Midi by 2030.
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