The new train set to rival Eurostar with routes from London to Paris
A NEW train service is launching new routes between the UK and France – alongside Eurostar.
Start-up operator Evolyn has revealed plans to buy 12 high-speed trains, to run the popular London to Paris route.
The 12 Avelia trains, bought from French firm Alstom, would eventually be joined by another four more.
The new fleet would launch its first service in 2025, with the full service by 2026.
Non-stop routes would operate between London St Pancras and Paris Nord, with hopes for more northern France.
Evolyn CEO Jorge Cosmen: “We know that the governments of the United Kingdom and France welcome a project that will allow their citizens to increase the connection options between the UK and several countries in continental Europe.
“We have always believed that additional operators will benefit passengers through increased competition, will build on the strong economic benefits the HS1 line delivers for the UK economy, and will give people greater opportunity to choose a more sustainable way than flying to travel to the Continent.”
A spokesperson added: “It would be the first time, after 30 years of Eurostar‘s monopoly, that a competitor has entered the market.”
More than £1billion pounds has been invested in the project, with a mix of French and British partners.
A number of Eurostar routes have been scrapped in recent years.
Brits can no longer join the service at Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International.
Paused during the pandemic, they are unlikely to return until 2025 at the earliest, citing pressures at the border due to new checks in place since the UK left the EU.
English holidaymakers can only travel from London St Pancras to board the Eurostar.
The UK-Disneyland Paris route has also been scrapped, with Brits now having to change in Paris.
And the UK-Amsterdam route is set to be suspended until mid-2024 due to new works.
While UK train routes are dwindling, there are lots of exciting new routes being launched across the rest of Europe.
European Sleeper is launching Brussels to Prague trains from 2024, taking around 15 hours.
They also revealed plans for an Amsterdam to Barcelona route to follow.
And French train company Midnight Trains hopes to launch routes from Paris to Milan and Venice.