Trucks are not included in Chunnel fare increase
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• Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel has no immediate plans to increase the cost of freight crossings, despite announcements last week that passenger fares are set to rise to offset the loss of duty-free sales.
Eurotunnel's operating profits rose to £85m for the first half of 1999 compared with £48m in 1998, but the group expects annual profits to fall by £100m a year following the loss of duty-free sales.
Spokeswoman Anne Leva says: "The freight and car-passenger trains are entirely separate and serve different markets. Duty free has never been a major player on the freight service."
The group also plans to double the number of freight shuttles by 2003, following a 12% increase in freight traffic to 381,706 HGVs in the first half of the year. "With more shuttles in service there will be more departures every hour," says Leva, "and the new shuttles will have a larger capacity with room for additional lorries."
However, more trucks are also going by sea. A MO Stena Line spokesman describes June as a "record month for freight crossings". He says the company will be "investing heavily in freight carriers".
Stena Line does not rule out duty-free-related fare increases, but adds that any changes will not come into play until its annual review of prices.