Tunnel link just the ticket for Eurostar

THE opening of the high-speed rail link to the Channel Tunnel last month has produced a burst of extra ticket sales for Eurostar.

The train operator reported a 12% rise in ticket sales since the link was opened on 28 September, enabling trains to rocket through Kent at 186mph. It also claimed that the link, which cuts journey times to Paris by 20 minutes to two hours 35 minutes, has improved punctuality, with 91% of trains now running on time, up from 78%.

The sales pick-up is a much-needed coup for Eurostar, which has continually failed to meet sales projections over the years, its hopes smashed by budget airlines and operating glitches.

Eurostar communications director Paul Charles said: 'These are early days but we are already seeing that the Channel Tunnel Rail Link is proving very attractive to customers.'

Airline punctuality to Paris and Brussels was just 71%, according to Civil Aviation Authority figures, he pointed out. Eurostar, which slashed ticket prices by up to 30% when the link was opened, also announced a new promotion on Monday to entice business travellers back on the rails.

It claimed it had already lifted market share from 44% to 49% on the London-Brussels route in August and the link will have boosted that share still further. Ticket sales for the third quarter to September were 18% up on the second quarter, Eurostar also announced, with passenger numbers rising from 1.5m to 1.77m.