Thalys & Eurostar propose merger in name of 'Green Speed' project

Rail companies Thalys and Eurostar could merge to form a single high-speed rail giant that runs across five countries under plans laid out today by Belgian and French state railway operators SNCB and SNCF.

The projects parameters have still yet to be completely defined, and then the merger would still be subject to regulatory approval from EU competition officials, providing they are approved by the company's boards.

The proposed merger is being put forward under the banner of the Green Speed project. During the announcement, the partners said that with the imperative of the climate crisis, the time was right to push harder towards setting up environmentally-friendly high speed rail.

The companies said that the creation of a combined entity would "maximise the use of renewable energy for its fleet between now and 2030 further reducing its CO2 emissions in support of the EU’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions."

Eurostar and Thalys already operate across five countries - France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK, running around 112 trains daily and serving over 18.5 million passengers every year. The partners forecast that by combining forces, that number could reach 30 million passengers annually by 2030, accelerating the switch from air and road travel to high speed rail.

Guillaume Pepy, Chairman of SNCF, said: "The challenge of climate change and the demand for eco-responsible travel calls for an ambitious response. Bringing together the strengths of Eurostar and Thalys would be a powerful response to this challenge."

"The creation of a combined European high speed rail company would deliver a compelling alternative to road and air travel for our 18.5 million passengers and would herald a new era in the development of European high speed rail services. High speed is an opportunity for Europe, Europe an opportunity for high speed!" added Pepy.

“Thalys and Eurostar joining forces would come at the right time and could only be beneficial to all travellers. It would combine railway expertise with stable shareholders," said Sophie Dutordoir, CEO of SNCB and Chairman of Thalys.

She continued, "The combination would be based on the strong conviction that, now more than ever, the train is the safest, most sustainable, fastest and most efficient solution for travelling inside Europe. Brussels would play a central role in this project as the hub for the various routes, linking all the cities that are served”.

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