General French News | Eurostar announces deal for new 200mph trains

Eurostar has announced that it has placed a £700 million order for 10 new trains, in a bid to improve the customer experience and reduce journey times to the continent.

The new Eurostar 320 trains will be able to carry more than 900 passengers and travel at speeds of up to 200mph, allowing travellers to reach campsites and holiday gites in France in record time.

The high-speed operator's 28 existing trains can carry up to 750 passengers each at speeds of 186mph, and it is thought that the new additions to the fleet will reduce journey times from London to Paris to just over two hours.

According to BBC News, the new trains will also feature an on-board wi-fi network, real-time travel and destination information, as well as interactive entertainment systems.

It is understood that the new trains will be made by German manufacturer Siemens, while existing rolling stock will be refurbished and will undergo a capacity increase of 20%.

Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said that the investment in new trains was a sign of the firm's ambition and ongoing desire to maintain high levels of service across Europe.

'Over the last 16 years Eurostar has revolutionised travel between London, Paris and Brussels but our sights are now set on expanding our business across Europe,' Kent Online quoted Mr Petrovic as saying.

'The transformation of Eurostar into a standalone business and the major capital investment announced today is a mark of our growth ambitions for the future,' he added.

Author: J.Jeffries
Posted on: 07/10/2010