Eurostar services expected to resume by Tuesday

A widespread power outage disrupted Eurostar services during peak travel.

Eurostar services expected to resume by Tuesday morning after major outage

The French rail operator SNCF announced that Eurostar services will likely return to normal by Tuesday morning following a significant power outage. This incident led to the cancellation of at least 17 trains to and from prominent cities such as Brussels, Amsterdam, and London. Trains began facing disruptions around 8 am on Monday, with severe delays peaking by noon. Passengers were advised to postpone trips and were offered free ticket exchanges or refunds. The outage, blamed on a fault near Moussy, halted operations on a crucial rail section north of Paris, and TGV lines leading to Charles De Gaulle Airport were also affected. The situation caused considerable upheaval at Paris Gare du Nord, illustrating the vulnerability of international rail networks particularly during busy travel seasons.

The Eurostar power outage underscores the fragility of transport infrastructure during peak seasons. With large crowds traveling for summer vacations, the unexpected disruption highlighted how reliant the system is on stable power conditions. SNCF's ongoing issues, including delays from tragic incidents and technical failures, reflect a broader challenge in maintaining consistent service on critical international routes. Passengers deserve reassurance and reliable communications during such incidents, particularly as travel demand surges. In a landscape where travelers expect seamless connectivity, this outage could lead to long-term reputational damage for Eurostar if such issues persist.

Highlights

As travel resumes, the focus will shift to improving system reliability.