Transport app company Uber said it has signed an agreement to “co-brand” trains running through the English Channel tunnel.
It has formed a partnership with Gemini Trains, which is developing plans to launch international rail services from London St Pancras.
Uber said: “Under the marketing agreement, Uber will co-brand the service, as well as offer passengers the opportunity to book tickets through the Uber app.”
The deal echoes Uber’s collaboration with London’s Thames Clipper boats, which involves Uber branding the service but operations being the responsibility of Thames Clipper.
Gemini Trains, chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley, is planning to purchase 10 new trains for its services.
Its initial routes would be from London St Pancras to Paris and Brussels – calling at Ebbsfleet, Kent – with plans to expand services to other European destinations.
Eurostar stopped calling at Ebbsfleet and Ashford, also in Kent, in March 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite local pressure for services to resume, the company has said it is focusing on its core routes.
Gemini Trains announced in March that it had been developing its plans for two years and had submitted an application to regulator the Office of Rail and Road for access to Eurostar’s Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London.
Eurostar holds a monopoly in running passenger services through the English Channel tunnel.
Other organisations developing proposals to launch rival services include billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Italy’s state-owned railway company FS Italiane Group.
Andrew Brem, Uber’s UK general manager, said: “We’ve seen amazing momentum since we began launching new modes of transport in the UK, and this collaboration with Gemini Trains is our latest step in how we’re helping people get where they want to go.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to bring our brand to the iconic Channel Tunnel journey.”
Gemini Trains chief executive Adrian Quine said: “Innovation and value are at the very heart of what we do so it’s really exciting to be teaming up with Uber, an instantly recognisable global brand which has revolutionised the travel industry.
“Now passengers will be able to enjoy the same value and comfort on brand new cutting-edge trains at the touch of a button.”