As a result of the robust business model, a responsive commercial policy and a constant focus on quality of service, demand from passenger customers remains strong throughout the year.

In 2008, Eurotunnel has carried 1,907,484 cars⁽¹⁾ and 55,751 coaches onboard its Passenger Shuttles, i.e. the equivalent of 7 million passengers.

These figures confirm the strength of a strategy based on optimising revenues rather than volumes, as well as excellent quality of service rather than low prices. The relationship of trust that Eurotunnel has built up with these customers – 80% British – is founded on our 3 key assets: speed, ease and reliability.

The commercial teams continue to operate the same dynamic pricing policy, which aims to optimise both the load factor and the value of the average ticket: as space on the Shuttles fills up, so its price increase. Eurotunnel’s yield management system is proving to be highly effective, enabling very high load factors to be achieved, in particular at peak times during Bank holidays, some weekends and holiday periods. For their part, the Operations teams perform genuine feats to guarantee the best possible service in this context.

The « Frequent Traveller » scheme continues to be highly successful: the offer is designed to attract loyalty of Eurotunnel’s customers and also to provide an incentive to travel during off-peak times. The significant increase in the number of holders of these accounts implies that a growing number of customers may be using Eurotunnel to commute regularly between Britain and the Continent for work or pleasure.

Eurotunnel offers the fastest, most reliable and easiest cross-Channel service. With the Passenger Shuttles, it takes barely 35 minutes to cross the Straits, without even having to get out of your car. The Shuttles travel through the Tunnel at a speed of 140 km/h (nearly 90mph) and are capable of transporting 120 cars and 12 coaches each. There are two types of wagons carrying vehicles on a Passenger Shuttle: One carries cars and motorcycles on two decks. The vehicles are loaded and unloaded by means of special 28m long wagons. The other type of wagons is for vehicles over 1.85m high (coaches, camper vans, caravans,…).

Since February 2000, date of the introduction of the pet Travel Scheme, more than 250,000 dogs, cats and ferrets have crossed the Channel with Eurotunnel.

In order to offer the best possible customer service and to reduce waiting times at the Terminals, Eurotunnel continues to implement timetables which set departure times of Passenger Shuttles at the 20 and 50 minutes past every hour (e.g. 8:20 and 8:50). This timing means that additional departures can be added at peak times or to rapidly absorb the consequences of an incident.

In 2009, Eurotunnel again focus on consolidating its already successful business strategy and on providing quality of service for its customers.

⁽¹⁾ Includes motorcycles, vehicles with trailers, caravans and camper vans.