PROSPECTIVE cross-Channel operator Gemini Trains has confirmed that it has agreed a partnership with Siemens Mobility and rolling stock leasing company Rock Rail, which will supply and finance a fleet of 10 new 200m-long seven-car high-speed trains to operate from London to mainland Europe.
The new entrant says that it hopes to order a fleet of Velaro Novo trains, the next generation of the type operated by the incumbent cross-Channel operator, Eurostar. Gemini says this makes their manufacturer Siemens “ideally placed to deliver a reliable and high-quality product.”
It adds that Rock Rail will finance 100% of the cost of procuring the new trains, the value of which has not yet been disclosed. Rock has financed 10 fleets operating in Britain and Germany, managing procurement, design and delivery.
Gemini announced its intention to enter the cross-Channel market in March, aiming to initially operate from Stratford International station in London to Paris Nord and Brussels Midi. All services will call at Ebbsfleet International in Kent. The company now says that four of the eight daily trains to Brussels will be extended to Cologne, though it concedes infrastructure work will be necessary at the German station. 10 trains will run daily to Paris.
In May, Gemini revealed that it has agreed a partnership with Uber for ticket sales and co-branding of its services.
Gemini’s fleet announcement follows a similar partnership confirmed by fellow aspiring cross-Channel operator, Virgin Trains, in August to work with Alstom which would supply a fleet of 12 Avelia Stream high-speed trains.
Depot access
Like Virgin and other prospective new entrants, Evolyn and Trenitalia France, Gemini is seeking to secure access to the Temple Mills International depot in east London owned by Eurostar. British regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is currently reviewing applications for depot access submitted by the new entrants, with a decision expected by October 31.
Gemini says that its new trains will run empty to/from St Pancras to access the depot facilities at Temple Mills, as the single line chord only faces London.
“Our collaboration with Uber, Siemens and Rock Rail creates a powerful partnership as we move towards our goal of running regular, high-quality and competitively priced trains connecting the UK to France, Belgium and for the first time ever, Germany,” says Adrian Quine, CEO of Gemini Trains. “This is great news for UK jobs, the economy and of course passengers.”
