Virgin’s New International Trains Could Cut Emissions, Fares — and Fuel Its Loyalty Program

Virgin has cleared a key regulatory hurdle in its plan to challenge Eurostar's monopoly on Channel Tunnel rail service — a move that could also boost decarbonization efforts by shifting some travelers from planes to trains. UK rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has granted Virgin track access rights to operate Channel Tunnel services between the UK and mainland Europe. It would be only the second passenger train operator to run the route, which has been entirely dominated by Eurostar since it opened in 1994. The company, which owns Virgin Hotels Collection and Virgin Atlantic, is hoping its Virgin Red loyalty ecosystem will be a driver to get passengers into trains. The European Union sees a shift from air to rail travel as playing a role in reaching its target of lowering greenhouse gas emissions from transport by 90% by 2050, compared with 1990. High-speed rail emits up to 90% less CO2 per passenger compared to short-haul