Number of passengers traveling on Eurostar and Le Shuttle in the UK 1994-2020
From 2013 to 2019, an average of 20.9 million travelers annually boarded the Eurostar or Le Shuttle in the United Kingdom. Although one of noticeably over-budgeted construction projects, after its opening in 1994 the Channel Tunnel has grown to become an important means of transport for passengers journeying to and from the UK. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 8.3 million individuals in the U.K. travelled on the Eurostar and Le Shuttle services in 2020, a decrease of around 61.5 percent compared to 2019 levels.
Light at the end of the tunnel
2012 marked the first year the Channel Tunnel overtook the number of sea traveling passengers entering and exiting the UK. Although sea travel recovered in the following three years, the general trend of decline in ferry usage was undeniable. Trains had again pushed ahead of short sea travel in 2016 and 2017.
Tunnel vision
With a length of 50.45 kilometers, the Channel Tunnel is the fourth longest railroad and road tunnel as of May 2018. Of the leading five entries, three were located in Europe.
Light at the end of the tunnel
2012 marked the first year the Channel Tunnel overtook the number of sea traveling passengers entering and exiting the UK. Although sea travel recovered in the following three years, the general trend of decline in ferry usage was undeniable. Trains had again pushed ahead of short sea travel in 2016 and 2017.
Tunnel vision
With a length of 50.45 kilometers, the Channel Tunnel is the fourth longest railroad and road tunnel as of May 2018. Of the leading five entries, three were located in Europe.
