Eurostar has been forced to run trains with large numbers of empty seats between London and its destinations in Europe to avoid congestion at border checkpoints at its stations.
The cross-channel train operator, which is controlled by France’s state-owned SNCF rail system, said Brexit and a shortage of border guards were increasing the time it takes to clear passengers departing from London’s St Pancras International station, the Press Association reported, citing on Gwendoline Cazenave, Chief Executive Officer of Eurostar.
As a result, some services are running empty with up to 30% of their seats, Cazenave said.
Eurostar has seen a surge in demand as travel recovers from the pandemic, and the operator is trying to lure travelers looking for greener alternatives. After a before announced Merger with the Thalys rail service operating between Paris and Brussels, all services operated by the merged entity will be rebranded under the Eurostar banner, with the operator promoting more seamless connections between London and continental Europe.
