Call for youth and senior fares on Eurostar journeys

We have experienced an unprecedented summer in Europe with heat waves, fires and droughts. Once again, these events have highlighted the impact of climate disruption on our planet and society. The latest IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report is clear. We have three years to act. 

Developing green transportation is one of the tools at our disposal to reduce our emissions. According to the European Commission, the transportation sector accounts for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and is the first cause of air pollution in our cities.We need to favour the development, extension, and accessibility of the rail sector as train journeys emit at least 10 times less CO2 per passenger than flights. 

The UK branch of Europe Écologie Les Verts (EELV), the French Green Party, calls for Eurostar to put in place youth and senior fares for its journeys. This would make journeys between the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands more competitive and accessible for these citizens.  

Youth and senior fares already exist with the train company Thalys which offers discounts of up to 30%. With the recent merger between Eurostar and Thalys, we are calling for Eurostar to also apply these fares on their journeys.

In addition, we would like Eurostar to allow its passengers to bring pets on their trains. A carriage could be used to accommodate these passengers for example. Currently, passengers needing to travel with their pets chose more polluting modes of transportation such as individual cars or planes.

Finally, we call on Eurostar to open a service for customers to be able to take their bikes on board as this isn’t currently authorised. 

We would be very happy to discuss these proposals with Eurostar. 

Charlotte Minvielle, Co-Secretary of EELV UK

Rémi Vazeille, EELV Councillor for French people living abroad