Uber plan trains through The Chunnel

[whole diary]

[Witham Bobby]

https://www.gmx.com/travel/11548536-uber-to-rival-eurostar-operating-cross-channel-tra.html#.1730814-stage-set3-6

London and Ebbsfleet, under the English Channel, to Paris and other unspecified destination(s)

The ride-sharing firm has thrown its hat into the ring by offering its own cross-channel services from the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) to Paris and beyond.

Uber has signed a partnership with Gemini Trains to co-brand the services.

The locomotives won't just be departing from St Pancras in London, as they will also be stopping at Ebbsfleet International in Kent to offer more options for passengers around the UK.

The collaboration will be similar to the partnership that Uber currently has with Thames Clippers boats in London. In this case, the company brands the boats with their logo along the side, but they are operated by Thames Clipper.

Although customers can book tickets on the Uber app for Eurostar services, this is the first time that they can book and travel on an Uber-branded train.

The company started offering new modes of transport in the UK in 2023 as users are now able to book inter-city trains, coaches, Lime bikes, nationwide car rentals and even flights via the app.

Andrew Brem, general manager at Uber UK, said: "We've seen amazing momentum since we began launching new modes of transport in the UK, and this collaboration with Gemini Trains is our latest step in how we're helping people get to where they want to go."

Adrian Quine, CEO^▸ (Chief Executive Officer) of Gemini, added: "Innovation and value are at the very heart of what we do, so it's really exciting to be teaming up with Uber, an instantly recognisable brand which has revolutionised the travel industry.

"Now passengers will be able to enjoy the same value and comfort on brand new 'cutting edge' trains at the touch of a button."

[IndustryInsider]

It is amazing how quickly the phrase 'Book an Uber' took off amongst the young in London, so having them associated with a venture like might help it get over the line and finally offer some competition to Eurostar.

[ChrisB]

No one has been able to compete until the exclusivity clause for Eurostar using HS1^▸ (High Speed line 1 - St Pancras to Channel Tunnel) (or is it the Channel Tunnel?) expires

[eightonedee]

How are they going to deal with border formalities at Ebbsfleet?   

[stuving]

No one has been able to compete until the exclusivity clause for Eurostar using HS1^▸ (High Speed line 1 - St Pancras to Channel Tunnel) (or is it the Channel Tunnel?) expires

Neither. Any exclusivity was disposed of by EU^» (European Union - about) directive 2007/58/EC on the liberalisation of international rail passenger services. For details see the Government's guide for potential new operators:

Directive 2007/58/EC on the liberalisation of international rail passenger services is part of the Third Railway Package measures, designed to open up international passenger services to competition within the EU from 1 January 2010. The Directive is now implemented in Great Britain. It was implemented through an amendment to the Railways Infrastructure (Access & Management) Regulations 2005 made by the Railways Infrastructure (Access & Management) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, and by an amendment to the Channel Tunnel (International Arrangements) Order 2005, made by Channel Tunnel (International Arrangements) (Amendment) Order 2009.

The Directive grants new rights of access for the purpose of operating international rail passenger services, and imposes new duties on rail regulatory bodies in relation to access to the infrastructure for those purposes.

Gemini, and other contenders, are however asking the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) for access to Temple Mills depot, which is managed by Eurostar. This is also a question of limited space, and it's not clear yet much space can be made available and how this might constrain the umber of new services or operators.

That report has made a big thing of Uber's involvement, even saying "Uber will soon be operating trains across the English Channel". But the original launch publicity from Gemini in March didn't mention Uber, who joined in two weeks ago offering branding and the use of their app for booking. I can't find their joint press release on Gemini's site, though it is on LinkedIn.

[Electric train]

How are they going to deal with border formalities at Ebbsfleet?   

Uber will have to fund it.  The cost of border formalities is one of the main reasons why Eurostar are not using Ebbsfleet and Ashford

Gemini, and other contenders, are however asking the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) for access to Temple Mills depot, which is managed by Eurostar. This is also a question of limited space, and it's not clear yet much space can be made available and how this might constrain the umber of new services or operators.

Temple Mills will be the challenge to anything more than a few trains a day.  An option for a serious contender could be a new depot at Dagenham or make use of space at Dollands Moor