Gemini Trains has confirmed a major partnership with Siemens Mobility and Rock Rail to deliver a new fleet of high-speed trains linking London with Paris, Brussels, and Cologne. The new services, which will be co-branded with Uber, represent a significant step towards increasing competition and capacity on cross-Channel rail routes.
After months of technical and financial evaluation, Gemini selected Siemens Mobility as manufacturer and Rock Rail as financing partner for the project. The trains will be based on Siemens’ latest Velaro Novo platform – the newest generation of the Velaro family that already operates between the UK and mainland Europe.
Next-generation Velaro Novo fleet
The Velaro Novo is designed to offer reduced energy consumption, improved aerodynamics, and higher passenger comfort. Siemens Mobility employs around 5,500 people across 30 UK sites, including major manufacturing and maintenance facilities in Ashby, Chippenham, and Goole. The company assembles new trains and overhauls components for existing fleets, providing a strong domestic industrial base for the Gemini project.
Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO of Siemens Mobility UKI, said:
“We’re delighted to be working with Gemini, Rock and Uber on these proposals which could see our state-of-the-art Velaro Novo trains transform rail travel for people travelling between the UK and Europe.”
Rock Rail provides financial and strategic backing
Rock Rail, a UK-based rolling-stock financier, will structure and fund the new fleet through its established model of bringing institutional investors into major rail projects. The company said the partnership aligns with the UK Government’s aim of maximising use of existing high-speed assets such as Stratford International and Ebbsfleet International.
Mark Swindell, CEO of Rock Group, said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Siemens and Gemini on this prestigious and innovative project. This deal follows on from Rock’s extensive experience in bespoke rolling stock, delivering 10 fleets across the UK and Germany. Rock has raised close to £1 billion for new trains and we look forward to working with Siemens again on these proposals.”
Rock Rail has previously worked with Siemens on multiple UK and European fleets and brings long-term expertise in procurement, design, and delivery to the Gemini collaboration.
Gemini and Uber collaboration
The new rolling-stock partnership expands Gemini’s existing collaboration with Uber, which will co-brand the new international service. The service will operate from London Stratford International, with passengers able to book tickets directly through the Uber app.
Adrian Quine, CEO of Gemini Trains, said:
“Our collaboration with Uber, Siemens and Rock Rail creates a powerful partnership as we move towards our goal of running regular high-quality and competitively priced trains connecting the UK to France, Belgium and for the first time ever, Germany. This is great news for UK jobs, the economy and of course passengers.”
Andrew Brem, General Manager of Uber UK, added:
“As more and more people use the Uber app to book train tickets, our collaboration with Gemini is an exciting opportunity to remind people of all the potential ways Uber can help them get wherever they need to go; right across the UK, Europe and beyond.”
Gemini has applied to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for capacity at the Temple Mills maintenance depot, currently operated by Eurostar. Access to this facility is considered essential for maintaining the new Siemens fleet.
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