A record passenger high for Eurostar.
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The high-speed passenger rail service between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe said more than 2.8 million customers travelled in the second quarter of 2015 – up 3% on the same time a year ago.
The images were released alongside Eurostar’s latest performance figures which showed passenger numbers over the past three months had broken the operator single quarter record.
Eurostar’s Business Premier passenger numbers rose 10 per cent in Q2 compared to the same period previous year.
More business travellers and a boost from its new service to the south of France lifted sales.
Sales across the first half of the year were down 2%, but much of this was down to movements in currency rates because when foreign exchange effects are removed, half year revenues rose 4%. The route, which runs between London and Lyon, Avignon and Marseille, has captured the imagination of travelers with over 88,000 tickets sold to date.
But despite the second quarter boost, Eurostar said half-year revenues overall were 2% lower after a hit in the first three months by a lorry fire that closed the Channel Tunnel, and Paris terrorist attacks in January.
As the number of passengers increases, Eurostar also announces addition to its fleets. The 17 new trains, due to launch at the end of 2015, will be able to reach speeds of up to 320kph, provide greater capacity, boast a new livery and interiors as well as wifi connectivity and advanced passenger information services.
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Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic told the BBC’s Today programme: “We can see that the leisure market is doing very well, especially out of the United Kingdom because the sterling is stronger”. With demand for our services at an all-time high we are looking forward to the arrival of our new trains.
