'No guarantees' as Eurostar services resume
Passengers left stranded by the Eurostar snow saga reacted with anger today as rail bosses resumed services – but told them they were still not guaranteed to get home for Christmas.
Travellers queued in their thousands to board the first journeys out of St Pancras International in England after three days of cancellations.
Amid chaotic scenes at the station, some spoke of their frustration that they were not guaranteed a seat, saying bosses still had “a lot to answer for”.
The first batch of trains left the station as planned and services would operate on a “shuttle basis” to get as many people across the Channel as possible, a Eurostar spokeswoman said.
But when asked whether ticket-holders were guaranteed to get home in time for December 25, she said: “I cannot guarantee that, no.”
Amid a police presence, scenes remained calm as queues stretched the length of the station.
Matthias Maher, a Eurostar official, had the unenviable task of telling fed-up passengers they were not guaranteed to travel – despite turning up at the railway station in the early hours.
On average, 15,000 people travel from St Pancras each day.
“We are looking at running extra trains,” said Mr Maher. “But it is very much dependent on the weather.
“There is just no way of guaranteeing seats for the people here. That’s a difficult thing.”
