15 Years and 50 million vehicles under the Channel - Saving 3.5 million carbon equivalent tonnes
In its 15th anniversary year, Eurotunnel has yesterday 16 December 2009 broken the barrier of 50 million vehicles transported by Shuttle. Parked nose to tail, these 50 million vehicles could reach all the way to the moon.
With two separate rail Shuttle services in operation, Eurotunnel is able to carry passenger vehicles (cars, motorcycles, cars with trailers, caravans and camper vans) and coaches on its Passenger Shuttles and, on its Truck Shuttles, lorries and vans across the Channel between Folkestone (Kent) and Coquelles (Pas-de-Calais), in 35 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. On top of the speed and reliability of the service, a further benefit, in this era of concern for the climate, is that Eurotunnel’s Shuttles are, by a long way, the most environmentally friendly way to cross the Channel with a road vehicle.
Eurotunnel has estimated that over the 15 years this number of vehicles making the modal shift to its railway services has “saved” at least 3.5 million carbon equivalent tonnes of emissions.
Since the inauguration of Le Shuttle on 22 December 1994, Eurotunnel has carried over 34 million passenger vehicles and more than 1 million coaches. Eurotunnel has also transported more than 14 million trucks, making it the world leader in piggy-back transport.
The success of the promotional offer launched in November to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Eurotunnel Shuttle Services – 15,000 day returns at £15 each – has contributed to the attainment of the 50 million vehicle mark. In total 15270 extra tickets were sold as part of this limited offer.
Jacques Gounon, Chairman and Chief Executive of Eurotunnel, commented:
“These 50 million vehicles are clear testimony to the fact that Eurotunnel is an extraordinary success, both operationally and commercially thanks to the loyalty of our customers and the know-how of our staff, who I would like to thank and congratulate. Buoyed by this achievement, Eurotunnel will continue to innovate and invest in quality of service and respect for the environment.”
