Letter to The Bulletin June 2008

As a Frequent Traveller, I was delighted by Eurostar’s guarantee of an €80 Brussels - Ashford return ticket. This is what I paid before Ebbsfleet replaced Ashford.
How disappointing to find that on June 23, I couldn’t obtain this rate for a September booking, although not because of a lack of seats. My usual ticket office at Brussels’ South Staion (online booking is not available for this itinerary) could only offer a Brussels - Lille - Ashford return ticket for €118.50. The very helpful staff knew nothing of Eurostar’s promise, nor did the manager. I was directed to Eurostar’s Duty Manager who was equally uninformed. I was unable to speak to the Terminal Manager or even be given his name.
Eurostar has obviously failed to tell its Brussels staff of its commitment to travellers. Worse still, the reply from staff is now invariably that it is no longer possible to travel Brussels - Ashford. When Eurostar axed our direct Brussels - Ashford service, it inserted a Lille stop on the Euro Disney train to facilitate our journey, albeit with a one-hour wait in Lille. Why, after twelve years of paying the same price as Brussels - London passengers, do we now have to pay 50 percent more for an inferior service?
Why does Eurostar not want Ashford passengers? Who’s making the decisions? Is it the chairman of Eurostar, the Director of the Eurostar Group or the CEO of London and Continental Railway, which, I believe, owns much of the land around Ebbsfleet. The answer is all of the above – it’s the same person. Is there any hope for Ashford?

Why We're Here

Eurostar, the international train company, will end all direct Ashford to Brussels services from 19th November 2007 when they open a new station at Ebbsfleet, some 35 miles away. We, as regular Eurostar passengers, wish to help save Eurostar from a decision that will undermine their existing customer base and their reputation.