Bridging Borders with High-Speed Rail
Eurostar is a premier international high-speed rail service that seamlessly connects the United Kingdom to France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Trains whisk you away on a journey that traverses the iconic Channel Tunnel, uniting two nations with swift and efficient travel.
A Journey Through Eurostar's History
Eurostar's rich history unfolds against the backdrop of a visionary decision made in 1986 - an ambitious plan to create a rail tunnel connecting Britain and France beneath the English Channel. This initiative followed a previous attempt that commenced in 1974, but regrettably met an early demise. Undaunted, a new era began in 1988 with the commencement of fresh construction efforts.
Out of this endeavour, Eurotunnel emerged as the steward of this monumental project, overseeing its construction and ownership. The tireless efforts of countless individuals culminated in the tunnel's completion in 1993, setting the stage for the official inauguration on the 6th of May 1994. This momentous occasion marked a historic milestone in cross-channel transportation, paving the way for the Eurostar service we know today.
A Grand Commencement: Eurostar's Inaugural Journey
On the 14th of November in 1994, Eurostar embarked on a new era in international rail travel. The first Eurostar services gracefully departed from London's Waterloo International station, whisking passengers away to two iconic European destinations: Paris-Nord and Brussels-South railway station.
This groundbreaking train service embarked on its journey with the fittingly named "Discovery service," symbolizing the dawn of a remarkable era in high-speed rail travel. From this historic day forward, Eurostar would become synonymous with efficient and luxurious travel, forever altering the way people moved between the United Kingdom and the European continent.
Setting the Pace: Eurostar's Speed Records
Eurostar has consistently pushed the boundaries of high-speed rail travel, setting remarkable records that showcase its commitment to efficiency and performance:
1995: Eurostar achieved an impressive average end-to-end speed of 171.5 km/h on the London to Paris route, setting a new standard for swift intercontinental travel.
2003: A Eurostar train blazed across the tracks, establishing a new British speed record of 334.7 km/h. This record-breaking run occurred on the inaugural section of the "High Speed 1" railway, connecting the Channel Tunnel to Fawkham Junction in north Kent.
2006: Eurostar embarked on a historic non-stop journey, covering a staggering distance of 1,421 km from London to Cannes in a mere 7 hours and 25 minutes, setting a new benchmark for continuous high-speed travel.
2007: Eurostar made headlines again when a train left Paris-Nord at 10:44 and arrived at London St Pancras International in an astonishing 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 39 seconds, further solidifying its reputation as the epitome of rapid rail service.
Today, Eurostar continues to excel, with trains capable of reaching a maximum speed of 300 km/h on high-speed lines in the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. As they glide through the Channel Tunnel, Eurostar trains maintain a steady speed of 160 km/h, ensuring passengers a smooth and efficient journey beneath the English Channel.
Challenge
Travel experience improvement
In response to passengers' top request for an enhanced travel experience, Eurostar introduced on-board live maps, allowing passengers to effortlessly monitor their journey progress and uncover exciting points of interest along the way and at their final destinations.
Solution
Seamless Wi-Fi and Interactive Journey Tracking
In 2016, Eurostar introduced onboard Wi-Fi connectivity accessible through passengers' personal devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. This innovative service not only keeps passengers connected throughout the journey but also offers a tracker app, allowing to easily pinpoint location and explore the fascinating sights along the way.
Mapping Solution: Powered by Google Maps API
Mapping solution harnesses the power of Google Maps API for its familiarity, extensive European location data, multi-language support, and exceptional customization tools. Trusted companion for an enriched travel experience.
Revolutionizing User Experience with Offline Maps
Design that sets a new standard in the European train sector by introducing an innovative offline map, powered by Google technology—a first of its kind. This endeavour posed a unique challenge: to craft a custom map that adheres to Google's guidelines while captivating passengers, enticing them to explore and utilize this groundbreaking feature.
Live Journey Map: Your Constant Companion
Real-time journey map for Eurostar passengers is here to transform your travel experience. Track your journey live as you travel, anytime, anywhere—even during internet interruptions.
