Updated 10.00

London St. Pancras Highspeed has unveiled an incentive scheme for new and existing international train operators, to encourage rail travel between London and continental Europe.

The leaseholder of HS1 said its International Growth Incentive Scheme will encourage train operators to introduce new services to new destinations, connect intermediate stations, introduce new rolling stock and increase the number of passengers.

Train operators who qualify will be entitled to discounts of up to 50 per cent in year one, 40 per cent in year two and 30 per cent in year three on track access charges.

London St. Pancras Highspeed said it wants to run as many international services as possible with the intention of encouraging growth, offering greater choice and lower fares to increase sustainable tourism.

The International Growth Incentive Scheme is available to all international high-speed passenger operators using or proposing to use the high-speed line.

There is a New Services Incentive, offering a discount on charges for new train services.

There is also a Passenger Incentive, offering a rebate equivalent to £1 for every additional passenger carried above previous levels. This is to be paid into a joint fund to support marketing and other activities aimed at increasing demand.

The proposals have come amid plans to more than double international capacity at St Pancras station to nearly 5,000 passengers an hour.

London St. Pancras Highspeed CEO Robert Sinclair said: ‘The International Growth Incentive Scheme is an innovative and groundbreaking proposal designed to boost international rail travel with more services to more destinations in Europe.

‘We are enabling operators to expand their services, increase the network of destinations they serve and invest in new rolling stock.

‘Our ambition is to make rail the preferred mode of travel, and we know that high-speed rail can reduce carbon emissions by up to 96 per cent compared with flying.

‘We believe this will boost the UK’s economic growth and contribute to our national effort to cut carbon.’

The proposals have been welcomed by at least one potential operator.

Gemini Trains has applied to the Office of Rail and Road for an open access licence to operate between London and Paris, with other routes to follow.

Gemini CEO Adrian Quine said: ‘We have spent two years developing a very robust business plan prior to today’s announcement. This will further strengthen our plan for competitively priced fares, attracting more people to make the shift from road and air to rail. We are now seriously assessing whether this scheme will enable us to offer additional new and exciting routes.’

 Virgin has also announced ambitions to run international services. It said: ‘Full steam ahead for competition as another barrier is lifted on the cross-Channel route. London St Pancras Highspeed is working hard to unlock competition on the cross-Channel route and the new International Growth Incentive Scheme is a welcome step in the right direction. It will stimulate choice and encourage both new and established operators to be dynamic and creative.

‘Today’s announcement means Virgin can further accelerate its plans, which is great news for consumers on both sides of the Channel as they will finally get the choice and breadth of service they deserve. Virgin looks forward to sharing its plans in more detail in due course.’

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