Britain’s Mobico, the former public transport company National Express, is talking with other companies to launch an HST connection between London and Paris via the Channel Tunnel. Evolyn, as Eurostar’s competitor would be called, could start in 2025.

According to The Financial Times, the newspaper picked up the scoop, the Spanish Cosmen family, a shareholder of Mobico, is also said to be involved in the talks. These also involve an order for railcars from constructor Alstom.

Multinational public transport company Mobico operates in eleven countries. That goes from bus and coach to tram and train services, such as several train services in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Double supply

Since the launch of the undersea connection via the Channel Tunnel in 1994, several companies have already announced plans to compete with Eurostar, such as Deutsche Bahn and Spanish rail operator Renfe. Still, until now, there has never been such an alternative.

Getlink, the group which operates the Channel Tunnel, has “always had the ambition to have more high-speed train traffic” on its tracks, whether via increased volume from the current operator or new players, a spokesperson told the French press agency AFP.

According to Getlink, the tunnel can at least double current passenger traffic. It is also why the company is in regular dialogue with several interested partners. Last year, Getlink said it was considering buying high-speed trains to lease to rail companies wishing to serve England in competition with Eurostar.

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