The 50m-mark was passed on 16 December 2009.
Eurotunnel operates two separate rail shuttle services, one for passenger vehicles (cars, motorcycles, cars with trailers, caravans and camper vans) and coaches and the other for trucks, lorries and vans.
Since the inauguration of Le
Shuttle on 22 December 1994, the company has carried over 34m passenger vehicles and more than 1m coaches, together with 14m trucks.
Eurotunnel estimates that over the past 15 years the number of vehicles making the modal shift to its railway services has ‘saved’ the equivalent of at least 3.5m tonnes of carbon emissions.
Jacques Gounon, chairman and chief executive, commented: ‘These 50m vehicles are clear testimony to the fact that Eurotunnel is an extraordinary success, both operationally and commercially thanks to the loyalty of our customers and the know-how of our staff, who I would like to thank and congratulate.
‘Buoyed by this achievement, Eurotunnel will continue to innovate and invest in quality of service and respect for the environment.’
Eurostar announced in August that it had carried 100m passengers through the Tunnel since its services began on 14 November 1994.
See also:
Eurostar does its bit for entente cordiale (13/11/2009)
‘Positive signs’ in Eurotunnel Q3s (20/10/2009)
Eurostar sees signs of business travel recovery (15/10/2009)
Eurostar sees total traffic hit 100m (21/08/2009)
Eurotunnel still feeling fire impact [H1s] (24/07/2009)
Eurotunnel sees ‘end of financial uncertainty’ [FY08] (04/03/2009)