Leading coach company, Eurolines UK and market leading cross-Channel operator, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, have signed a deal to carry sports fans travelling from across Europe to London for the 2012 Games.
With just over a year to go before the country hosts the world’s greatest sporting event, Eurolines UK and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle expect to carry an additional 18,000 European visitors to London next summer.
The vast majority of passengers are expected to travel from Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels and tickets will be available to purchase from 15 July.
During the peak sporting period special timetables will operate from these key cities and also direct from major European airports.
The international scheduled coach operator, part of National Express, will meet demand from Continental customers by using the fastest cross-Channel coach service, from Coquelles to Folkestone.
John Gilbert, Managing Director of Eurolines UK, said:
“Our network connects over 600 destinations across Europe and we’ll play a key role in helping people from across the Continent visit the UK next summer.
“We are committed to providing passengers with an affordable, convenient and easily accessible service to key points in the heart of London.
“By linking with Eurotunnel we are able to increase our normal timetable to provide additional services for customers when they need them most.”
Eurolines is comprised of 32 independent coach companies who, between them, operate Europe’s largest scheduled coach network carrying over 4 million passengers per annum.
Jo Willacy, Commercial Director of Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, said:
“This contract with Eurolines UK means that European visitors will benefit from Eurotunnel Le Shuttle’s unbeatable 35 minute crossing time through the Channel Tunnel, with up to four departures an hour at peak times.
“Thanks to its flexibility, Eurotunnel is able to adapt its capacity to meet the demand of major events whether they be sporting attractions, royal occasions, national or international events.”
The link is also good news for the environment. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is the most environmentally friendly cross-Channel operator, with a host of awards to its name, while travelling by coach is officially the ‘greenest’ form of public transport.
Eurolines is a member of The Climate Group’s ‘We’re In This Together’ campaign and also attended the Copenhagen Summit to champion the role of public transport in Europe.
