Eurostar remains in discussions with Dutch authorities over any possible solution to the threat of the its London-Amsterdam route being suspended next year.
Earlier this week it was reported that the high-speed rail operator could be forced to suspend services to Amsterdam for nearly a year, as a result of works being carried out at Amsterdam Centraal station.
Indeed on Monday afternoon Eurostar told Business Traveller that “We have received confirmation from the Dutch Government that Eurostar will not be able to run the London-Amsterdam route from June 2024 until April 2025”.
At that point the firm said that “The proposal to move the Dutch departure/arrival lounge from Amsterdam to Rotterdam is not viable due to capacity and safety reasons,” adding that “Should this be the only option offered by the Ministry, Eurostar Group will be left with no choice but to stop its London-Amsterdam direct service”.
However the operator is now striking a more positive tone, following a meeting between Eurostar’s CEO Gwendoline Cazenave and Dutch partners ProRail, and the I&W Ministry in The Hague.
In an update provided to Business Traveller the group said:
“All parties have agreed to keep working together to find a solution/compromise that will allow Eurostar to continue to welcome travellers in Amsterdam Centraal, and thus offer a direct high-speed rail service between Amsterdam and London.”
“We are pleased to continue discussions with our partners ProRail and NS in the Netherlands,” said Cazenave.
“We are convinced we will together find a suitable solution to allow a direct service between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and London.
“Eurostar is fully committed to playing a role in the Dutch sustainability policy by continuing to offer a green travel alternative to its Dutch customers.”
Eurostar launched its London-Rotterdam-Amsterdam service in April 2018, and currently offers four daily frequencies on the route
Business Traveller last reviewed the operator’s Business Premier and Standard Premier offering on the route in 2021.
