14 June 2021
Thalys is celebrating 175 years of rail travel between Paris and Brussels. This morning, to mark this anniversary, and the resumption of travel within Europe, an ‘event’ train with 175 Thalys customers and partners travelled between Paris and Brussels, not in two days as was the case on 14 June 1846, but in 1 hour 22 minutes.
As the first connection between two capital cities, the first Paris-Brussels journey marked the start of international rail travel within Europe.
Over the years, and with technological advances, SNCF Réseau, which manages the French infrastructure, and Infrabel, which manages the Belgian infrastructure, have innovated and adjusted their installations to better meet clients’ needs on this historic connection.
‘Today we celebrate the rich history of international rail travel,’ said Thalys CEO Bertrand Gosselin. ‘Rail travel has helped bring Europeans closer together, something Thalys has continued for 25 years.’ After being limited in their movements due to the crisis and the various lockdowns, our clients want to see a rapid return to European travel. Thalys is on the right track with an increased offer and our teams are ready to welcome passengers on board our trains. Welcome aboard!’ says Bertrand Gosselin, Thalys CEO.
At Brussels-Midi station, the Thalys event train was welcomed by a delegation that included Sophie Dutordoir, CEO of SNCB and Chair of the Thalys Board of Directors, Georges Gilkinet, Minister for Mobility, and Benoît Gilson, CEO of Infrabel.
‘The wonderful Thalys adventure began primarily with the railway companies SNCB and SNCF, who strongly believed in the future of high-speed trains, and in Thalys in particular, as a means of implementing the modal shift towards a sustainable means of transport,’ stresses Sophie Dutordoir, CEO of SNCB and Chair of the Thalys Board of Directors. ‘The public authorities were also prepared to invest in these high-speed lines. And we have had, and still have, enthusiastic teams and staff who have made it all possible. Thank you to all our partners for believing in the train as a safe, comfortable, sustainable and inclusive means of transport. For today and for the future.’
Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, the majority shareholder in Thalys, said, ‘The Paris-Brussels line is the ultimate symbol of rail transport’s ability to connect Europeans, and Thalys embodies SNCF’s profoundly European nature. This story is all the more powerful today at a time when the environmental benefits of rail travel are emerging as a major advantage for our passengers, whether they are travelling for business or pleasure. I have every confidence that with the Thalys teams and our partner SNCB we will continue to write beautiful new pages in this adventure.’
Georges Gilkinet, Deputy Prime Minister and Mobility Minister said, ‘Taking the train is the promise of a comfortable journey and unforgettable encounters. And there must have been a considerable number over 175 years. The railway not only linked the French and Belgian capitals, it also created bridges between Europeans thanks to ambitions and innovations that the rail companies such as SNCB, SNCF and Thalys are perpetuating today. The train is a way of building Europe and an alternative to the plane for short- and medium-distance travel. That’s why I fully support the development of international high-speed or night trains, as they offer a realistic, sustainable, and pleasant way to travel. The train means Europe is just a rail journey away!’
Luc Lallemand, CEO of SNCF Réseau, stated, ‘The Paris-Brussels line is a fine example of how rail can unite people and illustrates the strength of the European rail system. The two infrastructure operators, SNCF Réseau and Infrabel, work together to ensure that traffic on this symbolic line runs smoothly and safely for their customers. This success should encourage us to continue our combined efforts to develop rail transport on a European scale.'
‘Over 25 years, Thalys has become a symbol of the cultural and economic ties between Europe’s major cities,’ said Benoît Gilson, CEO of Infrabel. ‘Infrabel shares Thalys’ vision and is working alongside the company to help it achieve its goals. Belgium’s high-speed lines were the first in Europe to be completed from border to border. These sections of the network benefit both international and national traffic. As well as improving journey times, they support Belgium’s social, economic and cultural development. They are also an environmentally friendly alternative for short- and medium-distance journeys. Infrabel would like to take this opportunity to highlight the commercial and technological success of Thalys. When you’re 25, you usually have plenty of dreams for the future. Let’s keep dreaming together!’
After several difficult months due to travel restrictions, Thalys is currently operating 50% of its usual offer, with 11 daily returns between Brussels and Paris. From July 25, it will increase its offer to 68% until September 4. Despite restrictions associated with the health crisis, both infrastructure operators carried out all the modernisation work that was planned on the high-speed line for 2020 and 2021, meaning a gradual resumption of traffic and ensuring a high level of passenger safety and comfort.
Today, Thalys is reopening its lounges in Brussels-Midi and Paris-Nord. Tea, coffee, and refreshments are available before our trains depart once again.
Finally, Thalys, as the pioneer of on-board WiFi since 2008, is now launching ‘Thalysnet’. The portal for connecting to the Internet on board the red trains has been revamped and is now even easier to use.
Summer holidays by train
In exactly 20 days, on July 3, the first Thalys Sun of the year will head to the south of France. In less than five hours, the Thalys train will take holiday makers from Brussels to the centre of Marseille. In addition to being an extremely quick journey, it is also a more environmentally friendly alternative as the Brussels-Marseille trip pollutes 10 times less than a car or plane.