Green Speed to Europe? - Merger or Eurostar and Thalys

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the International Rail Journal

PLANS to merge northwestern Europe’s two high-speed operators, Eurostar and Thalys, have been presented to the boards of their owners French National Railways (SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways)), Belgian National Railways (SNCB) and Patina Rail under the name Green Speed.

The two operators provide high-speed services linking Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany and run 112 trains per day carrying more than 18.5 million passengers per year. They had a combined turnover of €1.67bn in 2018.

The Green Speed project has five objectives:
* to provide an attractive alternative to air and increase traffic to 30 million passengers a year by 2030
* to maximise the use of renewable energy for the combined train fleet and introduce an ambitious environmental policy regarding eco-driving of trains, waste management, removal of plastics, and sustainable purchasing
* to provide seamless travel for passengers with one ticket covering any journey across the network and better connections between trains
* to introduce attractive travel offers and a single passenger loyalty programme, and
* to provide a high standard of service quality.

The merger would reduce operating costs by combining the two operators’ information and distribution systems, and management of the train fleets, although Thalys trains are not permitted to use the Channel Tunnel as they do not meet its onerous safety and operating standards.

"Green Speed" is being put out to the boards of the three owners of Eurostar and Thalys to seek the go ahead.

[Noggin]

It's an interesting development, especially seen against a background of booming long-distance rail in Europe - IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) some of the more entrepreneurial rail operators like SJ and OBB are starting to bring back sleeper trains as millenials move away from flying. 

Given that the majority owner of both Eurostar and Thalys is SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways), I would suggest that this is really a strategic move to consolidate their position in NW Europe, develop economies of scale, and generally gee-up their domestic management ahead of European high-speed rail liberalisation. That way they will keep DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) and the German open-access operators away from the low-countries and the Channel Tunnel.

I wonder what their strategy will be for the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) market? Since the rules changed to permit the Velaros (374's) to operate, they could run additional through services either by buying some more Velaros from Siemens, or getting certification for their Alstom-built units. But they will need intra-Schengen traffic to make any route extensions viable. In theory the French and Belgians have the right to withdraw from the relevant treaties and return immigration screening to the UK (and having been through St Pancras recently, I wonder if the UK are preparing for that). I guess that we'll just have to wait and find out!

[Bmblbzzz]

I'll leave comment on the merger to those who know about that sort of stuff, but the name is exceedingly meh.

[Noggin]

I'll leave comment on the merger to those who know about that sort of stuff, but the name is exceedingly meh.

From the people who brought you inOui and OuiGo, amongst other brands ...

[broadgage]

I rather like the name. Simple and descriptive, and should be easy to translate into other languages without accidently ending up with anything daft or offensive.

[grahame]

A recurring theme from me - joining up total journeys medium distance.  Anything which helps, providing that the company(s) doing it don't think just one step is enough, is a step in the right direction.

Love the encouraging "green" label.  If it gives me a through ticket from Melksham to Monchengladbach at a price that's not too different to air, and instructions / help if a connection misses.   "CIV^▸ (International Convention for the transportation of Passengers)" terms are supposed to help with that, but perhaps not well enough known / appreciated / don't go far enough?

[Bmblbzzz]

I don't think the name is particularly descriptive. Rather generic, I'd say, both Green and Speed being applied to all sorts of firms and offerings, not necessarily transport. But I do like the idea of joining things up and making them easier. I, too, would love a through ticket from Melksham to Monchengladbach – except I wouldn't start from Melksham and probably wouldn't head to Monchengladbach! (How about Redland to Rostov-on-Don?)

[Red Squirrel]

Montpelier to Montpellier?

[Bmblbzzz]

Come to think of it, Grahame could have taken the chance to turn his recent cruise into a Melksham to Montpelier trip.

[grahame]

Montpelier to Montpellier?

[Bmblbzzz]

Okay, if the place on the right above is Montpelier, Vermont (one l!), where is the place on the left? It's certainly not Montpelier, Bristol nor Melksham and though my memories of Montpelier, France are distant, it does look remarkably British.

[eXPassenger]

Okay, if the place on the right above is Montpelier, Vermont (one l!), where is the place on the left? It's certainly not Montpelier, Bristol nor Melksham and though my memories of Montpelier, France are distant, it does look remarkably British.

Except there are 2 men in the cab and the lights are white, implying it is approaching the camera.  If that is the case it is driving on the right.

[stuving]

Okay, if the place on the right above is Montpelier, Vermont (one l!), where is the place on the left? It's certainly not Montpelier, Bristol nor Melksham and though my memories of Montpelier, France are distant, it does look remarkably British.

Except there are 2 men in the cab and the lights are white, implying it is approaching the camera.  If that is the case it is driving on the right.

So are you implying it can't be France then?

[grahame]

Two pictures in places of remarkably similar names with no chance of through ticketing. Both pictures from my recent collection. Neither in France and neither in England.

[johnneyw]

The signboard on the left looks to be in two languages. Wales? Is there a Montpelier district in Newport?  The station could pass for there and the 150 could be in Arriva colours.