While the high-speed train service Eurostar has rebranded itself and aims to attract 30 million passengers a year by 2030, a rival player, Evolyn is set to launch its first cross-channel trains in 2025 linking London and Paris.

The new Eurostar, in a merger with cross-border train service Thalys, has launched a new loyalty programme hailed as the stepping stones in the creation of the new company. In a press statement, Eurostar says its ambition is to carry 30 million passengers a year by 2030.

Eurostar operates train services between London, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels via the Channel Tunnel. 

The statement adds that the new Club Eurostar is a joint loyalty programme for MyThalysWorld and Club Eurostar members. With over 2.5 million members, members earn 1 point for each EUR/USD spent, and 1.2 points for each GBP spent. 

“Today, with our teams and for our customers, we are writing a new page in the history of high-speed rail travel in Europe. With Eurostar, our customers will have Europe at their fingertips. Our ambition is clear: more Europe for a unique and sustainable travel experience,” says Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar. 

“Travel inspires us and renews our sense of creativity, which we wanted to bring to life in our new campaign. We wanted to create the feeling of excitement customers feel when they are about to embark on a journey to discover Europe. We have packed the commercial and OOH ads with hidden details for the public to enjoy and discover the more they revisit, in the same way we explore our destinations,” says François Le Doze, Chief Commercial Officer at Eurostar.

Meanwhile, this move comes in conjunction with sole Eurostar rival Evolyn, which is set to launch its first cross-channel trains in 2025 linking London and Paris. 

According to reports, Eurostar’s decades-long control over cross-train services could soon end as rival Evolyn prepares to debut its trains in 2025. This high-speed rail startup is making strides towards introducing a cross-channel route connecting London and Paris.

“Evolyn is a very solid project both technically and financially, under development for three years and which continues to evolve in order to offer passengers a competitive alternative in terms of service and price in a strategic and very demand which currently has only one operator, while meeting the growing demand for sustainable transport,” says Evolyn in a press statement.

The statement adds that the total investment in the Evolyn project amounts to EUR 1.16 billion. The trains are projected to commence operation in 2025, with the complete service expected to be fully operational by 2026.

In response to Evolyn’s announcement, Getlink, the French operator of the Channel Tunnel infrastructure, stated that this development underlines the growth potential within the cross-Channel passenger rail market. They also pointed out that the Channel Tunnel infrastructure can accommodate almost twice the current level of rail traffic.

The statement adds that Evolyn’s ambitious plan includes introducing a non-stop service between London St Pancras International and Paris Nord. While there is potential for future stops in northern France, no additional routes are being considered currently.