Addressing the French National Assembly on Thursday, junior transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said Paris was working with London to ensure Eurostar gets the support it needs to keep going despite the huge drop in passenger numbers as a result of coronavirus.
He said that the French state would support the international rail link and that he was in talks with the British government about the mechanisms for aid, in line with all the parties’ involvement in Eurostar so that the company could survive. He confirmed he had been in regular contact with British transport minister Grant Shapps.
Earlier in the week we reported on ongoing calls to the British government to provide financial relief to Eurostar, at least in line with what domestic train operating companies and international airlines have access to.
Britain sold its 40 percent stake in Eurostar in 2015. SNCF owns 55 percent, while Belgium owns 5 percent.
