22 December 2015

Eurostar introduces Boomerang

Eurostar, the high-speed rail link between the UK and mainland Europe, is trialling a unique new way to bring the capitals of London and Paris even closer together teaming up with Boomerang. This new online platform puts Eurostar travellers in touch with each other to help them get the little things they miss most from across the Channel.
 
Users can connect with fellow Eurostar travellers and request the small but much-loved things they can’t get in Paris or London.
 
From that French moisturiser to this traditional English cup of tea, Boomerang is perfect for passengers who don’t want to wait until their next trip to get that special something.
 
Boomerang is being trialled for three months on Eurostar services between Paris and London. Once registered, users can enter the details of their request on the platform and connect with travellers who have offered to bring their chosen item over.
 
How it works
 
Register on the dedicated Facebook application and follow these steps.
 
Request an item
 
Step 1: Browse the suggestions made by our travellers or list your own and select a date when you want this item delivered.
Step 2: Set a price and submit your request. Then just wait for a lovely traveller to make an offer.
Step 3: Accept an offer and make a payment by PayPal. It will be safely held until your item's delivered.
Step 4: Arrange a delivery time and location with your friendly traveller.
Step 5: Meet up, collect and mark your item as delivered in Your Orders. Enjoy!
 
Deliver an item
 
Step 1: Take a look at all the user requests and choose some, depending on when you could deliver them.
Step 2: As soon as you offer to bring over an item, we'll tell the requester.
Step 3: Once your offer's been accepted, you'll get the other person's email address.
Step 4: Arrange when and where to meet and drop off their item.
Step 5: Meet up, mark the item as delivered in Your Orders and you'll be paid right away.
 
Payment is made through PayPal and held until both parties have confirmed that the item’s been delivered. Boomerang is entirely free to use and Eurostar doesn’t take any fee on delivery.
 
For more information visit: facebook.com/eurostar or boomerangapp.co.uk  

 
Notes to Editors
 
About Eurostar

1. Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps.
2. The current Eurostar train was first introduced into service in 1994 carrying 750 passengers and operating at speeds of up to 300kph.  Since then, the fleet of 28 trains has carried more than 150 million passengers between London and the Continent.  Following their refurbishment these trains will continue to form a core part of the Eurostar fleet. The new e320 will carry around 900 passengers at speeds of up to 320kph.
3. Eurostar is a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe’s leading high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and travel on the fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.
4. Eurostar and Eurotunnel are entirely separate companies.  Eurostar operates high-speed passenger trains, while Eurotunnel operates vehicle shuttle services and the Channel Tunnel itself. Eurostar is Eurotunnel’s biggest customer.
5. Eurostar was established in 1994 as a partnership between three railway companies: SNCF, SNCB and LCR (London and Continental Railways). On 1 September 2010, Eurostar became a single, unified corporate entity owned by three shareholders: SNCF, SNCB and LCR. LCR’s holding was transferred to the Treasury in 2014, and sold by the UK government to a consortium comprising Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec (CDPQ) and Hermes Infrastructure on 28^th May 2015.