Open Jaw: Where readers answer back
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Eurostar's future
In his column on 2 August, Simon Calder states that Eurostar has a lack of ambition. How bizarre, when Eurostar has just broken the UK rail-speed record, is about to check in its 50 millionth passenger and is on the brink of whisking travellers from London to the heart of Brussels in two hours, 20 minutes, and Paris in two hours, 35 minutes.
At a time when many in the travel industry are suffering from a downturn in passengers, Eurostar has maintained its strong market share. With over 60 per cent of the rail/air market, we carry more people between London and Paris than all the airlines put together. Far from taking advantage of the low-value airlines, travellers are voting with their feet and buying the convenience of a city-centre to city-centre journey at a smooth 186mph.
With standard-class fares from £59 return, Eurostar is cheaper than many of the airlines. Are they losing money on their routes? Of course - surely a factor in BA's decision to close its Gatwick-Brussels service from 1 September.
Once the first phase of the Channel Tunnel rail link opens in September, on time and on budget, Eurostar will be running extra services to Paris, Lille and Brussels.
Simon Calder asks why we don't run more services and create a new market to Calais, where we stop four times a day. Catch up, Simon. Lille is "the new Calais". Booze cruises are on the wane. Those destined for the Continent prefer to lunch on rue de la Monnaie and shop till they drop in the vast Euralille shopping centre. From September, we will run nine trains a day from London to Lille.
Eurostar understands its market and where its customers wish to travel. As we prepare for the future, with a faster service, we will continue to be competitive. Far from missing a trick, Eurostar has plenty of magic up its sleeve.
Paul Charles
Director of communications, Eurostar
Eurostar's present
The Eurostar website doesn't always show the cheapest journeys. Here's a good example: you should be able to get to Amsterdam from Waterloo for £79 return. But the site only shows the more expensive and pointless - when you look at journey times - Thalys service.
Adrian Pearce
San Andres, Colombia
You call the island's visitors "unfortunate". I have holidayed on San Andres three times in the last eight years and found it a peaceful island with friendly inhabitants. The reference was inaccurate and unfair.
Robert McIntosh
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments