Green Speed: A project to combine Eurostar and Thalys has been presented to the Boards of their shareholders to meet the demand for sustainable travel in Europe

The management of SNCF, SNCB and Patina Rail LLP* (a consortium comprising Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and Hermes Infrastructure) have today presented the Green Speed project to their Boards which proposes combining Eurostar, the cross-Channel high speed rail operator, and Thalys, the Franco-Belgian high speed rail operator, to create the foundations of a sustainable European high-speed rail travel company.

When this project has been precisely defined, it will remain subject to the approval of the Boards and consultation with the representative bodies of employees as well as clearance of the European Commission regarding merger control.

From their earliest days, Eurostar and Thalys have shared the same purpose and vision - to directly connect European cities across borders whilst respecting the environment. Over the last twenty-five years, this has been achieved by revolutionising high-speed rail travel and giving rise to a new generation of environmentally responsible travellers by providing fast and easy direct links between city centres across destinations in Europe. 

Thalys and Eurostar operate already across five countries - France, United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany – with an approximate population of nearly 245 million. Together, they run 112 trains every day  serving together more than 18.5 million passengers annually.

The challenge of climate change and Europe’s growing demand for eco-responsible and sustainable travel presents a great opportunity for both companies in terms of development.

The combined excellence and unique expertise of Eurostar’s and Thalys’ colleagues would provide a powerful platform for the future growth of European high-speed rail and a solution to this growing demand.

Going forward, passengers would experience a comfortable, sustainable and European high speed travel experience. By combining Thalys and Eurostar, the Green Speed project would link the UK with the Mediterranean, the North Sea with the Atlantic and the Benelux countries with the peaks of the Alps.

This new service would be an additional reason to choose the train over road or air travel in Europe.

Combining  resources - in particular fleets as well as information and distribution systems – would  increase economic efficiency and provide the customer with an enhanced, sustainable commercial service, delivering on the ambition to increase the number of direct links between European cities in the future. 

All of the colleagues who have made Thalys and Eurostar the success they are today have unique experience of European travellers and their diversity. Tomorrow they would build the Green Speed Project drawing on their collective high speed rail skills.

THE VISION FOR THE GREEN SPEED PROJECT IS UNDERPINNED BY FIVE KEY OBJECTIVES

1. An attractive alternative to air and road travel for nearly 30 million passengers per year by 2030

The combined entity would aim to accelerate the switch from air and road travel to high speed rail travel by increasing the capacity of passengers per year on the combined Eurostar and Thalys networks, both current and future, from 18.5 million passengers today to nearly 30 million by 2030, providing a response to the growing demand for environmentally-responsible travel.

2. A high-speed train service relying on renewable energy and an ambitious sustainability policy

The Green Speed Project would aim to create a combined entity which would maximise the use of renewable energy for its fleet between now and 2030 further reducing its CO2 emissions in support of the EU’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. 

By accelerating the initiatives already in place, the combined entity would also aim to introduce  an ambitious environmental policy in terms of waste management, removal of plastics, eco-driving of trains and sustainable purchasing.

3. Simpler international travel  for every customer

As a result of combining the two companies, the new entity would provide each customer with seamless and efficient services with one single ticket between the countries and cities on the Thalys and Eurostar networks, improved schedules for quick connections, supported by innovative digital tools at every stage of the journey for customers.  

4. Attractive offers and a single passenger loyalty programme

A joint loyalty programme would  be introduced across the unified network giving passengers access to attractive travel and partner offers with other multimodal, sustainable companies. The members of this unified loyalty programme  would benefit from more upgrades, discounts and complimentary journeys with early access to partner offers as well as lounges and  other personalised benefits. 

5. A multicultural, warm and friendly service

Drawing on both companies’ culture of quality and hospitality, the proposed combination would aim  for excellence in terms of service quality for its customers.

COMBINED EUROSTAR AND THALYS NETWORK