Europe’s Next High-Speed Train Operator
I was alerted to Heuro Train, by this article in Railway Gazette International, which has this opening paragraph.
A proposal to launch high speed train services from Amsterdam to London and from Groningen to Paris has been announced by Dutch start-up Heuro, while Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson is also reported to be looking at competing with Eurostar on cross-Channel routes.
The Heuro Train web site was easily found and the title of this post, was part of their mission statement on the home page.
I have read the web site and have a few initial thoughts.
Technology-Driven Excellence
This is their first sub heading and this is the text.
In a world where technology defines possibilities, Heuro develops the latest innovations into every aspect of our service. From advanced train systems to intuitive in-seat features that cater to your needs, our technology is the driving force behind a seamless, state-of-the-art travel experience.
We’ve all written things like that in the past.
Meeting The Human Need
This is their second sub heading and this is the text.
Heuro emerged from human desires, informed by analyses from Marveltest.
There’s been a 32% annual increase in online interest for train travel over five years. High-Speed Trains are 98% full at peak times. Over half of Europeans prefer train travel under 2 hours as a greener option. Introducing High-Speed Operators in train monopolies boosts demand by 45%.
They appear to have done their research and those are interesting figures.
Lightning Speed Connectivity
This is their third sub heading and this is the text.
In our digital age, both work and leisure have found a substantial home on the internet for urban humans. Whether sealing a business deal, streaming a favorite show, or connecting with loved ones, online interactions have become integral to our daily lives. At Heuro, we don’t just commit—we guarantee the best internet experience.
This is actually irrelevant these days, as there will be a high standard of Internet experience on all modes of transport in a few years, although some will get it earlier than others.
Planned Routes
This is their sixth sub heading and this is the text.
We will connect Amsterdam with Brussels, Paris, and London with intermediate stops at Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Central, Antwerp Central & complimentary services to Groningen, Assen, Zwolle and Almere (continuing to Paris, 2 times per day)
This route map is shown.
Note.
- It is not a large network.
- It makes a lot of use of the Dutch high speed line; HSL-Zuid, that runs between Amsterdam and the Belgian border.
- I suspect it has been designed to be extended.
The Railway Gazette Article has these two paragraphs, which give more information on services and Heuro’s thinking.
On November 15 Heuro told Railway Gazette International that it aims to launch in 2028, offering 16 Amsterdam – Paris and 15 Amsterdam – London trains each day with intermediate stops at Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Centraal, Antwerpen Centraal and Brussels. Two of the Paris trains would run to and from Groningen via Assen, Zwolle and Almere.
The company said ‘every day, 55 planes fly from Amsterdam to London, while only four trains make this journey. Heuro intends to change that, aiming for more trains to depart from Amsterdam than flights’.
With other train companies wanting to serve London, will St. Pancras International be able to incorporate another fifteen trains per day from Amsterdam?
Web Site Language
Everything is in English! It also appears to be English English.
Les français ne seront pas amusés.
Extensions From London
Much of Central and Eastern England, and Eastern Scotland can be reached from St. Pancras International station, by a hundred metre walk to change platforms.
There is even a signed walking route between St. Pancras International and Euston stations, that isn’t the most arduous of walks.
The St. Pancras International and Euston stations connection could also be handled by a frequent electric shuttle bus.
Extensions From Amsterdam
Heuro are already indicating their intention to extend to Almere, Zwolle, Assen and Groningen.
I have taken that route and extended it via Leer, Oldenburg and Bremen to Hamburg.
Could this be in Heuro’s long term thinking?
Extensions From Paris
The French probably have ideas.
Conclusion
I like Heuro’s philosophy and starter kit.
The Anonymous Widower 
Given the capacity problems that Eurostar already have at London St Pancras, is it feasible for these new entrants to be able to start from there too? It makes me wonder if they consider using Stratford International as a possible low-cost starting point for high speed trains from London.
Comment by Matt Goode | November 20, 2023 |
yup, this is the same problem as with other firms, like Renfe, that claim to be going to start services to/from London. If this new firm gets going at all, I would expect it to concentrate on Paris and quietly drop the idea of serving London.
The easiest way to link with other parts of the UK is to run through trains, not stopping at St P at all. The easiest way to do that is for GB to join the Schengen area and get rid of all border controls. But I’m not expecting that in my lifetime.
Comment by Peter Robins | November 20, 2023 |
I think it would be more likely to develop Ebbsfleet and extend the Elizabeth Line to Northfleet, where there could be a cable-car or some other spectacular connection to Ebbsfleet.
Four platforms at Ebbsfleet could probably turn sixteen trains per hour.
Ebbsfleet also has space for thousands of car parking spaces, for those who must drive part of the way.
Comment by AnonW | November 20, 2023
A mixture of English English (prioritise spelt with an ‘s’ not a ‘z’) and American English (favorite spelt without a ‘u’). Sitting on the fence, clearly!
Comment by Chris L | November 20, 2023 |
I hate to say it but even British people are typing social media posts in American English and as for the press, well they’re doing it too. Trouble is they are either too lazy to reset their wordprocessing software from the default setting or never paid that much attention to spelling during their time at school – still if it was alright for Shakespeare to vary his spelling I suppose I shouldn’t too exercised. I do draw the line at Americanisms such as the public address announcement I once heard on approaching the runway at Houston….we shall be landing “momentarily” and would ask you to remain seated……….at which point we would ask you to “deplane” through forward exit. As they say in the USA, that’s “normalcy”.
Comment by fammorris | November 21, 2023 |
Indeed. And don’t get me started on the proper use of apostrophe’s… 🙂
Comment by Chris L | November 21, 2023
I see Getlink are claiming they can double the number of destinations from London over the next 10 years through some modest simplification of procedures https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231214193599/en/Getlink-to-Enable-the-Doubling-of-Direct-High-Speed-Rail-Services-From-the-UK-Over-the-Next-10-Years-via-the-Channel-Tunnel.
When I first saw the headline, I thought they were planning to double the capacity, but I suppose adding new destinations would not be so big a change. I still think there’ll be capacity problems at St P, though.
Comment by Peter Robins | December 15, 2023 |
There’s more on this at https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/change-in-safety-rules-opens-door-to-more-cross-channel-operators/65571.article Getlink are saying that the current tunnel usage is 400 trains a day, mainly the shuttle, but “there is sufficient capacity for many more, possibly up to 1 000 a day”, which is a substantial difference. Getlink’s CEO is quoted as dismissing the claim that St P doesn’t have any space for expansion, ‘space will be found’ and saying that discussions were in progress. They do seem to be serious about this.
Comment by Peter Robins | December 18, 2023 |
Thanks! As I said, I think, they could build on top of the new part of the station. Difficult, but there could be a lot of space added. Each platform could probably handle four trains per hour!
Comment by AnonW | December 18, 2023
From the Gazette article, it sounds like Getlink are looking for more of the same, just to more destinations, but if cross-Channel rail really wants to compete with airlines, they have to address the budget market. If the capacity at St P can be increased, then no-frills companies like Ouigo with its one-class double-decker trains should be able to thrive in addition to Eurostar.
Comment by Peter Robins | December 18, 2023
Now even the Swiss are thinking about a direct Basel to London service
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/could-a-direct-high-speed-train-link-between-switzerland-and-london-soon-be-a-reality-/49071586
Comment by fammorris | December 20, 2023 |
I think the Swiss are right to insist that these be direct services not going into Paris. Atm Paris-Geneve and Paris-Basle are both just over 3 hrs. Add 2 1/4 to London and you’re talking 5.5 max. Still think they have to sort out capacity at St P first though!
Comment by Peter Robins | December 20, 2023 |