EUROSTAR will continue to lose money until 2005, according to a report by the consortium that is due to take over its management contract.
The consortium, made up of National Express, British Airways and the French and Belgian national railways, explains in its report for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, that it believes it can turn around the financially beleaguered fortunes of Eurostar in six years using a new management structure.
But a spokeswoman for the consortium, which has yet to announce it is taking over the contract, said details of the new structure had not been agreed.
“The contract is about maximising cash flow but we have not gone through the strategy yet. But there will be a more unified management approach to the overall organisation,” she said.
“The service has been improved, with higher passenger numbers bearing this out, and with a clear management structure in place, we think finances will improve.”
n Eurostar has launched a new bargain fare of ú99 return for two people travelling together to either Paris, Brussels or Lille.
The fare is available between January 21 and March 14 and must be booked at least seven days in advance.