Europe’s rail giants see strong demand. Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave noted that “customers want to go further by rail than ever” and that the new trains will open “direct trains between London and Germany, and between London and Switzerland for the first time”mediacentre.eurostar.com. Indeed, Eurostar – coming off a record 19.5 million passengers in 2024 – is investing €2 billion to buy up to 50 new TGV units, a 30% capacity hike. These will supplement the existing 17 e320 trains, growing the fleet to 67 unitsmediacentre.eurostar.comtourmag.com. Eurostar is explicitly targeting routes that were previously impossible: for example direct London↔Frankfurt and London↔Geneva connections. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hailed the deal as “a huge step in promoting green travel across Europe”mediacentre.eurostar.com.
