Eurostar and Kent Southeastern services could see fare reductions as regulator plans to cut fees

A Eurostar train travels through Ashford in Kent
-Credit: (Image: Gareth fuller/PA)


Cross-Channel and domestic rail fares could be slashed as a regulator has proposed to reduce fees for train operators running services between London St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has suggested that the amount paid by Eurostar and Southeastern to use the High Speed 1 (HS1) line for the five years from April 2025 should be reduced by 7.7% and 10.8% respectively. For freight users, charges should be cut by a whopping 66%.

The HS1 line is utilised by Eurostar trains heading to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam; domestic Southeastern services between London and Kent, and within Kent; and freight trains going to and from the Channel Tunnel. Despite an increase in fares, demand for seats on Eurostar services has skyrocketed since the lifting of coronavirus travel restrictions.

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HS1 is owned by a consortium of private investors. The ORR has proposed to lower access charges after conducting a review of the company's spending plans.

It discovered that while the company has produced "good quality" plans, there are "opportunities" for "further efficiency", resulting in savings to its passenger and freight train operator customers.

Feras Alshaker, ORR director for planning and performance, said: "The High Speed 1 line is a vital connection between the UK and continental Europe, and makes a crucial contribution to the UK economy, supporting growth."

He added, "It is important that it continues to be a resilient, high-performing network for both passengers and freight users."

Significant cost reductions for operators on the HS1 line are expected, as detailed scrutiny and challenge to HS1 Ltd's proposals have been applied, promising savings for both international and domestic operators over the next five years. This could result in perks for passengers and freight users.

HS1 Ltd's Chief Strategy and Regulation Officer, Mattias Bjornfors, commented: "We welcome the ORR's support for our plan for the next five years and acknowledgement of our success during the current control period."

"Our plan for 2025-2030 included several proposals to reduce charges for freight and transport operators which have been accepted."

HS1 has a track record for driving down costs and boosting performance, as Bjornfors points out: "HS1 has already driven down costs and improved performance by investing in innovative technologies and working with partners to make multimillion-pound savings and reduce train delays."

In wrapping up, he noted: "We anticipate further services on the HS1 route will lead to lower charges for operators."

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