Overview

• The UK and Switzerland have signed a memorandum of understanding to address technical, regulatory, and commercial challenges for direct train services.
• A joint working group of government and industry experts will convene soon to tackle issues like border controls and Channel Tunnel safety compliance.
• Currently, passengers must change trains in Paris, with total travel time to Geneva at around seven-and-a-half hours; a direct link could cut this to five hours.
• Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Swiss Transport Minister Albert Rosti estimate services could launch within five to ten years but not sooner.
• Eurostar has introduced single-ticket bookings for travel between London and Swiss cities, marking an initial step toward expanded connectivity.