Once More Into the Chunnel

Once again, there is a scheduled start date for Channel Tunnel passenger train service between London and Paris and London and Brussels. But so far, there are no rates, no reservations nor any firm word on how many trains will be making the first trips.

High-speed passenger service, called Eurostar, is scheduled to begin Oct. 23 (pending final approval by a Joint Inter-Governmental Committee). Spokesmen for BritRail and Rail Europe say rates will be set sometime this month, with tickets scheduled to go on sale Oct. 3.

“We still don’t have the fares and until we have the fares, we can’t take actual bookings,” a BritRail spokesman said.

When it starts, the nonstop service is going to be limited to one or two trains a day in each direction. Rail spokesmen say plans call for 15 trains a day on each route by mid-1995.

Although the Eurotunnel was opened with much fanfare in May, it has seen only test runs since then. Le Shuttle, the transport service for cars, trucks and motorcycles that was expected to begin operations first, encountered various delays and is now anticipating an October start date also.

BritRail and Rail Europe have taken thousands of “priority reservations” from consumers. Both companies say they will contact travelers when they have more specific information. Consumers wishing to add their names to the lists can call BritRail (800-677-8585) or Rail Europe (800-94-CHUNNEL) for Eurostar; and (800) 388-3876 for Le Shuttle.