Blogs » Sami_G » Trains vs. Planes - The competition...

I've written before over on TreeHugger about how Eurostar, the train that runs between London and Brussels, and London and Paris, is making a big deal about their impressive green ceredentials. The train ride already boasted a CO2 footprint 90% smaller than an equivalent flight, and the company was further seeking to reduce that by another 25%, and offset the rest. Not only that, but they are offering more fresh, organic and local food in their restaurant car, they've erected solar panels on the roof of the new Euston International Station in London, and they have upgraded the line to make it more competitive in terms of time with airlines.

And the results are showing. On our recent trip the train was full, and airlines that are already struggling with high oil prices are admitting that competition with Eurostar is a factor in their diminishing profit margins. Best of all, from a users perspective, Eurostar is anything but a sacrifice compared to flying. Check in is half and hour before boarding' security is stringent yet friendly and efficient, and instead of trapsing out to the outskirts of London., Paris or Brussels to find the iaport, the journey takes you from city center to city center, with a myriad of connecting journeys to further destinations in Europe. For those traveling within Belgium, Eurostar passengers can even continue their journey free of charge to any other station within the country. Amtrak could learn a thing or two from Eurostar, not to mention the airlines!

Keywords: eurostar amtrak trains planes aviation

Comments