Uber vs Eurostar: The future of cross-channel travel

After maintaining a firm grip on all train travel through the Channel Tunnel for decades, Eurostar is set to face new competition as Uber has plans to operate cross-Channel railway services as early as 2029.

The trailblazing ride-hailing company has already expanded its services to include food delivery, bike rental, and a river bus service along the Thames, with international rail travel becoming its next major objective.

Despite the inevitable shared use of the Channel tunnel, Uber plans to partner with Gemini Trains to offer an alternative experience to passengers travelling to continental Europe, notably with trains departing from and arriving at Stratford International rather than St Pancras.

Stratford was originally built with the intention of being used by Eurostar, as a second stop in London for Regional Eurostar trains heading to the North and West of the country. However, as this plan never materialised, Eurostar abandoned plans to use it as a stop due to its proximity to St Pancras, making it an International station that is only served by domestic Southeastern trains.

The inevitable shortage of seating means opting to either remain standing in the way of everyone trying to get past or sitting on the very dirty floor until your train gets announced

Uber’s intention of using Stratford as its London terminus comes without the need for additional upgrades, as the station is already equipped with passport controls, customs, and border force facilities necessary for international travel. It was also recently renovated and expanded to accommodate the Elizabeth line, making it a modern and accessible travel hub in East London.

Whilst it would be remiss to say that St Pancras is totally lacking with its multitude of shops as well as its grandiose appearance, the cramped and uninviting waiting area past the border control leaves a lot to be desired. My periodical end of term journey back to Brussels has always included a painstakingly long wait in the area packed to the brim of travellers heading to France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The inevitable shortage of seating means opting to either remain standing in the way of everyone trying to get past or sitting on the very dirty floor until your train gets announced. This is all after first having to endure the chaos of taking a suitcase into the city centre.

Indeed, Stratford International’s modernity and accessibility is an indicator of East London’s commercial growth, with the area becoming more popular for individuals and businesses as they seek to move away from London’s crowded and tourist-filled centre.

Ebbsfleet International is fully equipped with the necessary passport controls and border force facilities to be served by Uber’s cross-Channel services

Uber and Gemini’s willingness to commit to the East of London is furthered by their plans to also expand their services to Ebbsfleet International, which would be serviced by trains bound for Paris.

Ebbsfleet International sits just outside the M25 and is ideal for travellers from outside London, due to its extensive car parking facilities as well as its accessibility via regional railway services. The station was formerly used by Eurostar until 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the railway company to suspend its services there, a suspension that remains to this day.

As such, Ebbsfleet International is fully equipped with the necessary passport controls and border force facilities to be served by Uber’s cross-Channel services. These facilities alongside its location and its motorway access could make Ebbsfleet a successful hub for the county of Kent along with becoming the favoured departure point for passengers living in the South-East of England.

Gemini’s Chief executive, Adrian Quine, asserts that ‘locating the terminus in East London and reusing Ebbsfleet would open us catchment areas to cross-Channel rail services to 18 million people.’

Another facet of Eurostar’s dominance is its total control over the price of cross-Channel railway services. As a frequent customer, it is certainly true that even when purchasing tickets healthily in advance, it is rare to find a return trip that is below three figures without having to board the train at the crack of dawn. The price only increases the later the tickets are bought, which has led me to spend up to £220, twice as expensive as simply flying there. Nevertheless, the price is marginally justified by the somewhat premium experience on the trains, kitted with comfortable seats and plenty of leg room.

Even though Uber trains are still in development ahead of an aimed launch in 2029, this partnership with Gemini has the potential to dramatically change cross-Channel and even cross-continental railway travel

Gemini and Uber plan to disrupt this dominance, promising a quality and cost-effective service which they say will set a new standard for rail travel. On Gemini’s website, it says that they ‘believe that an unashamed “customer first” service culture, coupled with great value fares and truly innovative offerings, will help reinvigorate rail travel.’ Whether this will be the case is open to interpretation, however it is undeniable that this proposal will provide a huge number of travellers with the option of comfortable journeys to continental Europe without having to travel into the congested core of London.

There also several other railway operators who are planning to challenge Eurostar’s dominance and planning to offer alternative high-speed cross-Channel services. Virgin Trains are investing £700m to launch 12 high-speed Avelia Stream trains to connect London with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, whereas FS Italiane have also announced plans for a cross-Channel service connecting Paris and London by 2029, with further expansion to eventually connect to Italy.

Even though Uber trains are still in development ahead of an aimed launch in 2029, this partnership with Gemini has the potential to dramatically change cross-Channel and even cross-continental railway travel.