Eurostar has launched ticket sales on its trimmed timetable following the Channel tunnel fire.
The new timetable, designed to makes best use of the available capacity through the tunnel, means there are now nine trains on weekdays between London and Brussels, and 16 trains on weekdays between London and Paris.
Before the fire on September 11, it was running 10 and 17 respectively.
Journey times are on average 20 minutes longer than normal, due to the partial closure of one of the two running tunnels.
This revised timetable is expected to continue for some months – into the first half of 2009 – before Eurotunnel, the Channel tunnel operator, is able to restore full access to both tunnels.
Eurostar will continue to operate temporary check-in procedures for some weeks.
All travellers are strongly advised to check in as early as possible, ahead of Eurostar’s minimum check-in times, to help station staff ensure that they catch their trains.
By Bev Fearis
