LeShuttle has reopened the refurbished UK Coach Exit Check Hall inside the main terminal building at Folkestone in what the company says is a reinforcement of its commitment to conveying coaches through an improvement to the processing of those vehicles.
The Channel Tunnel carrier adds that the change will increase capacity to six coaches per hour from two, “giving operators greater scheduling flexibility, reduced waiting times, and the ability to book multiple coaches online at once.”
The move restores coach passenger access to the terminal’s full range of shops, restaurants, toilets and duty-free outlets. That was lost when coaches were temporarily processed at a restricted border area following the pandemic.
It has been confirmed that only any UK exit checks will be undertaken within the reopened hall. French frontier checks, including those relating to the Schengen-area Entry/Exit System from its introduction on 12 October, will remain in the police aux frontières area, which is fully equipped to carry out that work.
Le Shuttle adds that dedicated parking and drop-off points will streamline coach passage through the terminal, which will cut queues.
Speaking about the change, Head of Coach and Trade Sales at LeShuttle Tracy Bayliss says: “Coach passengers want journeys that are fast, comfortable and good value. By reopening the UK Coach Exit Check Hall, we are giving operators the additional capacity and flexibility they need while restoring the facilities and seamless experience their customers expect.
“With our 35-minute crossing and electric trains, coach travel with LeShuttle is not only the quickest way to cross the channel, but also one of the most sustainable.”
