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Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train service that links the UK and mainland Europe, saw record traveller numbers and record revenues from ticket sales in 2007.

Passenger numbers broke the eight million mark for the first time with 8.26 million travellers carried – an increase of 5.1% on the previous year. The launch of Eurostar services on High Speed 1 on 14 November boosted the number of travellers keen to experience 186 mph train services in Britain and the stunningly restored St Pancras International station. Between 14 November and 31 December Eurostar saw an 11% increase in passengers against the same period in 2006.

Ticket sales also reached a record level in 2007 - rising by 15.5% from £518 million in 2006 to £599 million. Increased traveller demand following the launch of faster services from St Pancras International saw ticket sales grow by a fifth (20%) during the period 14 November to 31 December.

The business travel market continued to perform strongly in 2007 with an 11.9% increase in the volume of business ticket sales. Since 2005, the volume of business ticket sales has grown 31.4%. Corporate travellers continue to switch to high-speed rail for short-haul travel between London and the Continent, to reduce their carbon footprint and to maximise productivity by taking advantage of a 10-minute check-in time and the unique work-friendly environment of Eurostar’s Business Premier class. Increasing numbers of businesses that want to help tackle climate change are being attracted by the fact that all Eurostar journeys are now carbon neutral – at no extra cost to travellers.

The move to St Pancras International has opened up high-speed rail services to millions more people across the UK. The new station, together with next door King’s Cross and nearby Euston, is linked to towns and cities both north and south of the capital, with connections to seven mainline services and six London Underground lines. Through tickets from just £67 return went on sale from 14 November, from 68 UK towns and cities to Paris, Disneyland Resort Paris, Brussels (as well as any station in Belgium) and 75 connecting destinations across France.

Growth in the international markets (those outside Eurostar’s core territories of the UK, France and Belgium) grew strongly during 2007 with ticket sales up by 20.2% against the previous year.

Eurostar’s punctuality continued at a very high level throughout the year with 91.5% of trains arriving on time or early in 2007. By contrast, the latest available 2007 UK arrival/departure punctuality figure for airlines competing on Eurostar’s routes is 68.8%.

Richard Brown, Chief Executive, Eurostar, said: “The launch of Eurostar services on High Speed 1 has begun a new era in short-haul travel between the UK and mainland Europe. The impact has been immediate: Eurostar’s faster services, shorter travel times and carbon neutral journeys are winning over more travellers from the short-haul airlines.

“We expect to see this growth continue throughout 2008 as the impact of the new through fares from across the UK drives growth in the number of travellers using Eurostar from towns and cities north and south of London.

“The UK is now truly part of Europe’s high-speed rail network and this country can be rightly proud of the huge achievement that the successful launch of High Speed 1 and St Pancras International represents.”

Eurostar and ATOC announce through fares to the continent from 68 towns and cities across britain

Eurostar strikes deals with East Midlands Trains, First Capital Connect, GNER and Virgin Trains – return fares from £67 on sale from 14 November

New fares will further boost the growing number of Eurostar journeys made by travellers living in UK regions

Train companies offer prices, journey times, frequencies and convenience to compete with regional airlines

Eurostar, the international high-speed train operator, and the Association of Train Operating Companies have today (24 October) announced the introduction of through rail fares to mainland Europe from 68 towns and cities across Britain.

Eurostar has struck deals with East Midlands Trains, First Capital Connect, GNER and Virgin Trains to sell return fares to Paris, Brussels, Lille, Disneyland Resort Paris, 75 connecting destinations across France and to any station in Belgium.

Eurostar has also announced a range of through fares with Chiltern Railways and London Midland, the operator of new West Midlands rail franchise.

Tickets will go on sale from Wednesday 14 November 2007, the date when Eurostar begins 186 mph services from St Pancras International, which is close to King’s Cross and Euston stations.

The number of Eurostar journeys made by travellers living in the UK regions is already growing rapidly. Eurostar estimates that the number of journeys by people living outside Greater London has increased by 26% so far this year.

In total, it is estimated that the number of journeys by travellers living in the UK regions has increased by some 80% since the opening of the first section of High Speed 1 in September 2003.

Standard class, return leisure fares to Paris, Brussels and Disneyland Resort Paris will start from between £67 and £92, for travel from major stations across Britain such as Birmingham, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Nottingham.

Travellers will be able to buy tickets at prices that are as attractive as those offered by regional airlines; and with up to 17 connecting rail services a day to Paris and up to 10 a day to Brussels, travellers will have plenty of choice about when they travel

City centre-to-city centre journey times by train will in many cases match or even beat those of taking the plane. Rail travellers will enjoy the time-saving advantages of bypassing journeys to and from out-of-town airports, half-hour check-in (10 minutes for business travellers) for Eurostar services, and avoiding baggage reclaim because they carry their luggage with them.

Lowest standard class, return fares and fastest journey times include:

Cambridge – Brussels / Paris: £71 return – journey times 3h50 / 4h00
Birmingham – Brussels / Paris: £79 – journey times 4h25 / 4h50
Manchester – Brussels / Paris: £84 – journey times 5h20 / 5h35
Luton – Brussels / Paris: £67 – journey times 3h20 / 3h40
Derby – Brussels / Paris: £77 – journey times 4h25 / 4h50
Sheffield – Brussels / Paris: £77 – journey times 5h00 / 5h25
Peterborough – Brussels / Paris: £77 – journey times 3h40 / 4h00
Leeds – Brussels / Paris £79 – journey times 5h05 / 5h35
(For travel to Disneyland Resort Paris, and to any station in Belgium, the lowest fares are the same price as for Brussels / Paris.)

Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Eurostar, said: “Eurostar’s move to St Pancras International and the introduction of through fares will open up rail travel to the Continent for millions of people living to the north of London.

“We are offering competitive prices and journey times, with fast and reliable Eurostar services with trains travelling at 186mph on High Speed 1, the UK’s first high-speed line.

“Rail will provide cost-effective, convenient and comfortable travel to mainland Europe, and all Eurostar journeys will be carbon neutral from 14 November 2007 at no extra cost to travellers.”

David Mapp, Commercial Director of ATOC, said: “The new through fares will make it far easier for people to buy tickets for travel to the Continent. Initially, customers will be able to buy tickets with just one phone call to the Eurostar call centre for journeys from 68 British stations to the many direct and connecting continental destinations served by Eurostar.

“The collaboration between Eurostar and Britain’s train operators is an important step in integrating UK and Continental rail travel and builds on the enormous investment in the new high-speed line and St Pancras International.”

Through tickets will be available to purchase from 14 November 2007, the date of Eurostar’s move to St Pancras International.

To make bookings and for timetable information, travellers should contact Eurostar’s Contact Centre on 08705 186 186.

Through fares are available up to 90 days in advance, in line with UK train operators’ booking horizons.

For GNER-Eurostar travel, tickets can also be booked via GNER telesales on 08457 225 225.

From mid December 2007, it will be possible to purchase through tickets via eurostar.com and participating railway company websites.

Eurostar and UK train operators will extend the range of through fares to more British stations during 2008, as well as extending sales to more websites.

Explore Europe with Eurostar. To connect with over 100 destinations visit Eurostar.com