Gemini Trains, a start-up rail operator aspiring to end Eurostar’s three-decade monopoly on routes through the Channel Tunnel, has taken a significant step forward by placing an order with Siemens Mobility for a fleet of next-generation high-speed trains. This initial procurement of ten Velaro Novo trains showcases Gemini's ambition to offer competitive passenger services connecting London, Paris, Brussels, and, notably, Cologne for the first time by rail.

The new Siemens trains, which Gemini suggests could be partly assembled at the Goole facility in East Yorkshire, signal a blend of UK manufacturing contributing to a cross-border transport endeavour. According to the company, this collaboration between Uber, Siemens, and the rolling stock investor Rock Rail forms a powerful consortium aimed at delivering competitively priced international train services. Adrian Quine, Gemini Trains’ chief executive, emphasised the partnership’s potential to challenge Eurostar while extending rail connectivity deeper into Europe.

Founded by industry veterans and chaired by Lord Berkeley, Gemini is among three prospective operators seeking approval from the UK's Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to enter the international high-speed rail market currently dominated by Eurostar. Since its 1994 inception, Eurostar has held exclusive Channel Tunnel access, but evolving regulatory attitudes and calls for enhanced competition now pave the way for new entrants promising lower fares and more destination choices.

Gemini plans to operate its services out of Stratford International in East London, a departure from Eurostar’s heavily congested St Pancras terminal. Additionally, the operator intends to revive the dormant international station at Ebbsfleet in Kent, which has been unserved since Eurostar suspended services there during the COVID-19 pandemic. This strategy could significantly expand capacity and convenience for cross-Channel travellers.

The Siemens Velaro Novo model that Gemini has ordered represents the latest evolution of the Class e320 trains already used by Eurostar since 2015. Promising improvements such as lighter construction, enhanced energy efficiency, and increased passenger capacity, the Velaro Novo is designed to smoothly operate across both the UK’s electrified networks and European high-speed lines. This investment also supports Siemens’ £200 million manufacturing and assembly hub in Goole, established to serve the burgeoning demand for modern rolling stock in the UK market.

While Eurostar itself is undergoing a fleet renewal programme, the company's expected preference for France’s Alstom rolling stock—backed by political considerations—diverges from Gemini’s choice of Siemens trains. Other rival operators, including a Virgin Trains proposal and a joint venture between Italy’s FS and Spain’s Cosmen family, reportedly contemplate Alstom models like the Frecciarossa, underscoring a competitive landscape for cross-Channel high-speed rail.

Despite the growing momentum around new entrants, no competing operator is expected to begin passenger services before 2030. This delay arises from the complexity of regulatory scrutiny, negotiations over infrastructure access, and the limited availability of depot and maintenance facilities—particularly at Temple Mills in Stratford, where Eurostar’s fleet is based. Additional rail infrastructure capacity will be essential to accommodate new operators.

Gemini’s partnership with Uber introduces a notable consumer-facing innovation. The companies have agreed on a co-branding arrangement allowing passengers to book Channel Tunnel train tickets directly through the Uber app, under the potential branding of “Uber Trains.” This model reflects Uber's prior collaborations, such as its marketing role with London's Thames Clippers riverboat services, where Uber provides branding while operational control remains with transportation providers. The integration with Uber aims to leverage the tech giant’s vast user base and booking technology to attract and streamline ridership.

Initial routes for these Uber-branded trains focus on London St Pancras to Paris and Brussels, but there are clear ambitions to extend services further into Europe, including Lille and Cologne. Gemini also plans to restore international stops at Ebbsfleet International, reviving cross-border rail connectivity to Kent for the first time since its pandemic hiatus.

Financially, Gemini’s venture benefits from backing by Rock Rail, a prominent rolling stock investment firm competing with established UK lessors such as Porterbrook, Angel, and Eversholt. Together with Siemens’ engineering expertise and Uber’s consumer reach, this alliance positions Gemini as the most credible challenger yet to Eurostar’s long-standing dominance in European high-speed rail travel.

In summary, Gemini Trains’ order with Siemens marks a pivotal advancement in introducing new competition to Channel Tunnel rail services. The synergy of innovative technology, refreshed infrastructure strategies, and digital-first customer engagement via Uber offers a promising, if long-term, prospect for more diverse and competitively priced cross-Channel travel options. However, significant regulatory and infrastructure challenges remain before passengers can experience these services, anticipated no earlier than 2030.

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Source: Noah Wire Services