Eurostar stations like St. Pancras are implementing biometric touchpoints this year as one of the legacies of Brexit. Brexit marked the UK’s landmark decision to leave the European Union in 2016.
However instead of streamlining millions of passengers, Eurostar could be forced to end some current services to limit passenger flows. The reduction of operating services would inevitably cause commercial rates to fall drastically below where they are used to.
Brexit cut up cordial trade agreements between the EU. The UK and France do have a reciprocal deal over UK border checks for the Eurostar, Port of Dover and Eurotunnel, however, only 24 EES kiosks are currently staged by French authorities at St. Pancras. 50 kiosks would be considered adequate during peak season.
The operator of the line route between London and the English Chanel has criticised the planning of the Entry/Exit System, which HS1 deemed “severely inadequate” for an international travel junction. Large queues could form if the Entry/Exit System goes ahead without modifications.
The European Select Committee was told the proposed idea of touchpoints was “optional” in the planning process.
Many international airports however are now used to implementing modern e-gates using biometric screening technologies.
Passengers not in the EU or Schengen area will have to register before travelling through the zone.
Whilst passport stamps will be replaced when the EES system is introduced, personal information and flight details of the passenger would be shared on first arrival along with fingerprint and facial biometric data.
The system has a delivery date for October, 6, 2024.
The service shortage causing havoc to passenger journeys is imaginable at St. Pancras. With waiting times thought to increase to several minutes, rather than 45 seconds per passenger, the EU and UK could consider a special agreement to exempt UK nationals from having to share and verify their biometric records.
