France said today it would install security gates at the Paris and Lille stations of the high-speed Thalys train, the target of a previous failed attack which police believe may be connected to the deadly Paris assaults.
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“The government’s decision is to install gates in Paris and Lille before December 20”, French energy minister Segolene Royale told radio station France Inter.
Similar gates are also planned for stations in Amsterdam and Brussels.
The anti-terrorism measures come as a response to the November 13 series of coordinated attacks and suicide bombings in the French capital that killed 130 and injured over 360.
Last week SNCF President Guillaume Pepy submitted a report outlining potential security improvements which was prepared following the attempted attack on a Thalys service on August 21.
Passengers boarding those trains do not now have to pass through security checks, unlike for the cross-Channel Eurostar train services to Britain which have airport-style security.
The Thalys network connects Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
European railway operators worry about the cost and delays of tighter security. Eventually France wants to go back to a system whereby only people who have a ticket can board trains, Royal said.
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Royal also said there further measures would be taken to increase security, including train tickets that must carry the passengers names, as is the case for airlines as well as barriers to make sure only passengers can access the platforms.
