Deutsche Bahn’s ICE trains have been approved to operate through the Channel Tunnel, according to reports.
After three years of deliberations, the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission (CTIC) has finally given the green light.
It means that Deutsche Bahn (DB) is free to operate in competition with Eurostar from London’s St Pancras but services are still not set to start until 2016.
ICE trainsets differ from those operated by Eurostar and therefore they did not meet existing Channel Tunnel technical standards but now it seems that a solution has now been found.
While this is a step forward, the construction of DB’s ICE trains to be used through the Channel Tunnel has been severely delayed.
Manufacturer Siemens, which is building these trains, has been affected by numerous technical issues with DB’s services from London to Amsterdam and Frankfurt currently being given a “tentative” starting date of 2016.
bahn.com