Eurostar to receive its 10 millionth passenger before Christmas

LONDON, Dec. 4 (Chinese media) -- Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train service that links the UK with the European Continent, said on Thursday that it would receive its 10 millionth passenger before Christmas.

The special passenger is expected to travel on High Speed 1 on Dec. 19, the day that marks the beginning of the Christmas and NewYear rush to the Continent, Eurostar said.

The opening of Britain's first high-speed line has been a success for Eurostar, with huge growth in travelers from the Midlands and North of England taking advantage of the ease of connections at London's St Pancras International and the shorter journey times to mainland Europe.

Eurostar's Communications Director Simon Montague said: "We're really pleased that 10 million travelers have now chosen to cross the Channel by high-speed rail. It's clear evidence that high-speed trains offer travelers a more convenient, greener and more enjoyable journey."

Eurostar will be running services throughout the Christmas and New Year period, with the exception of Dec. 25.

Eurostar, currently operating an amended timetable which represents 93 percent of Eurostar capacity before the tunnel incident on Sept. 11, 2008, is expected to return to a full timetable in the Spring once Eurotunnel, the Channel tunnel operator, is able to restore full access to both tunnels under thesea. Enditem