A new chapter in cross-Channel rail travel is on the horizon as Gemini, an ambitious new train operating company, prepares to offer competitive fares and high-quality, frequent services between the UK and continental Europe. Chaired by industry veteran Lord Tony Berkeley, Gemini plans to launch services between London and Paris/Brussels, with further exciting destinations currently in development.
Gemini’s commitment to providing an innovative travel experience is underscored by plans for brand-new, cutting-edge trains and a fresh approach to sales and ticketing. The company has gathered a highly experienced team of rail executives and creative thinkers who are dedicated to introducing independently run ‘Open Access’ services to compete on the Channel Tunnel route, which has long been dominated by Eurostar.
Open access and competition across Europe
The European Union has been encouraging independent commercial ‘Open Access’ operators, which are free of government control. In several European countries, including France, Italy, Spain, and the UK, such operators have led to a shift from road and air travel to rail, improving choice and value for customers. The Channel Tunnel route is particularly well-suited for this kind of competition, and significant passenger growth is forecast in the coming years.
Over the past two years, the Gemini team has been working diligently to bring these services to fruition. The team’s collective knowledge and expertise—spanning business, finance, operations, ticketing, policy, and regulation—positions Gemini uniquely to navigate the complexities of a new cross-border rail operation while delivering innovative customer offerings.
Lord Berkeley, chair of Gemini, expressed confidence in the company’s direction, saying: “Our team has real strength, depth, vision, and dynamism and is superbly placed to offer customers choice on what is currently a monopoly route.”
CEO Adrian Quine added: “The high-speed line connecting London and the continent through the Channel Tunnel is one of the great rail routes. With a whole new generation now choosing trains over planes, there is a great opportunity to bring real entrepreneurial flair and dynamism with competitive fares to Europe’s premier route.”
ORR’s depot capacity review
Gemini has also been engaging with a wide range of industry stakeholders across Europe, including infrastructure managers, station operators, Eurostar, and various governments and regulators. The company has applied to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for access to Eurostar’s Temple Mills International maintenance depot in London, a crucial step in the company’s plans. Additionally, Gemini is in discussions with key stakeholders regarding other train maintenance facilities.
In response to growing interest in additional services between London and continental Europe, the ORR commissioned an independent report to assess the capacity of Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot. The report concluded that the depot could accommodate additional trains, albeit with some necessary changes to operational and maintenance arrangements.
The ORR’s findings were welcomed by Gemini, with the company responding positively to the regulator’s review. “We are pleased to see that their review has demonstrated that there is capacity available for Gemini’s services, both inside the depot and for stabling outside,” said a spokesperson for the company. “We look forward to engaging with ORR officials during the consultation and will be responding in detail. We are convinced that our service offering will provide competition to Eurostar, with benefits to all passengers, and that our compelling business plan will persuade the ORR to allocate capacity at Temple Mills depot to Gemini Trains.”
Stakeholders are now invited to provide evidence to support or challenge the ORR’s initial findings, with the consultation period running until 28 April. The ORR is expected to release its final conclusions after reviewing the submitted evidence.
As Gemini prepares to enter the market, it is clear that their innovative approach and commitment to enhancing competition could reshape cross-Channel rail travel, providing greater options and benefits for passengers.
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