MEPs Calls for Eurostar Lifeline

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Members of the European Parliament from the Greens/EFA, S&D, GUE and EPP political groups have written to the French and UK governments as well as the European Transport Commissioner seeking action to safeguard the future of cross-channel passenger services with the Eurostar company. The letter has also been signed by UK Green Peers Nathalie Bennet and Jenny Jones.Ciarán Cuffe MEP, who sits on the European parliament’s Transport Committee, initiated the letter in response to public concerns about the future of the service between the UK, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. The rapid fall in demand for travel due to the Covid 19 crisis has left many transport operators struggling. Eurostar has seen a 95% drop in passenger numbers since the pandemic began.Mr. Cuffe said: “Allowing Eurostar to fail would mean significant job losses and deal a massive blow to sustainable travel between the UK and the EU. Together with a group of cross-party MEPs and colleagues in the UK, I am calling on all sides to work together to ensure a solution is found as soon as possible. Eurostar’s survival is in the interests of both the EU and the UK. If this requires funding from both the UK and French governments, then the money must be found. Sustainable travel deserves support.“Airlines have received massive support to survive the pandemic. Therefore, it is fitting that more sustainable travel modes also receive the help they deserve to recover as travel resumes later this year.”The text of the letter can be viewed here Letter concerning the future of Eurostar .

published

February 22, 2021

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