Call for Eurostar to face competition as Channel Tunnel turns 30

Mark Smith, founder of international train travel website Seat61.com, said having a second company operating passenger train services to the continent could lead to lower fares and new destinations. Eurostar holds a monopoly in running passenger services through the tunnel, which was officially opened on May 6 1994 by Queen Elizabeth II and France's then-president Francois Mitterrand. Spanish start-up company Evolyn is aiming to launch services through the tunnel next year, while billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson is reportedly also developing a rival operation.