Long-Awaited `Chunnel' Trip: It's Claustrophobic But Quick

UNDER THE ENGLISH CHANNEL - It's a smooth ride but not stylish, sort of like being in a narrow parking garage that rocks gently for 35 minutes.

After months of delays, Channel Tunnel operators last week began showing off "Le Shuttle" - the spartan boxcars that will haul vehicles underwater between France and England.

The opening of service through the so-called Chunnel could come as early as mid-November.

The double-decker boxcars that hold eight average-size automobiles offer their passengers little in the way of amenities - just overhead lighting and a toilet. The passengers can sit in their vehicles, walk to the toilet or mingle with other travelers.

Why should passengers choose to drive their cars onto Le Shuttle instead of using ferries that feature restaurants, shops, gaming machines and - in good weather - fine views of the White Cliffs of Dover?

Tunnel officials believe motorists will gladly trade those charms for a quicker crossing - about 40 minutes faster than the speediest ferry.

"It's a fast, efficient, fun way of crossing the channel," said Eurotunnel spokesman John Noulton.

"It's a little bit claustrophobic, but again, you expect that," said Terry Lipscombe, a Eurotunnel shareholder from London who made the trip. "The whole idea is speed."

London resident Gertrud Wienecke said putting up with the "quite sterile" surroundings is not a problem because she will save time on frequent trips to her native Germany.

"Fantastic. It's really convenient," she said.

Shareholders, who have taken a beating on the stock market as delays have doubled the project's cost to $16 billion, hope Eurotunnel executives are right about the appeal of this mode of travel.

"The shares I bought for 3 pounds 50 ($5.60) are now worth 2 pounds 60 ($4.15)," said Alistair Sampson, a London antique dealer. "That's bad news."

Eurotunnel has not announced its fare schedule, but it is likely to be higher than ferry fares, which are as high as $480 for a round trip for a car and its passengers.

Eurotunnel touts its ability to operate in any kind of weather, and executives are always quick to point out they don't need to keep seasickness bags around.

Le Shuttle cars won't list like the ferries that often have a number of people running for the restrooms.

Foot passengers cannot use this service, which runs between Calais, France, and Folkestone, England, although they will be able to take advantage of three-hour train rides between London and Paris or three-hour, 15-minute train rides between London and Brussels, Belgium, as soon as Eurotunnel gets an operating license and the national railways of the countries get the trains rolling.