A new billion pound train line that has left passengers waiting for two years could finally be open by the end of 2026.

East West Rail’s Oxford to Milton Keynes line was completed in December 2024, with the promise that passengers could travel between the two cities effortlessly in just 44 minutes.

But the anticipated opening in early 2025 never happened and, as frustrations grew among would-be commuters, operators Chiltern Railways stayed tight-lipped over the reasons for the delays.

Meanwhile, the company was said to be locked in dispute with the RMT union about plans to use driver-only operation (DOO) trains, which the union claims are not safe enough. The believe a guard should be present at all times to protect passengers.

The new track was completed almost two years ago but has never yet been used for passenger trains

placeholder image — The new track was completed almost two years ago but has never yet been used for passenger trains

Now it appears a compromise may have been reached. This month Chiltern Railways has published advertisements for ‘Customer Service Inspectors’. To be based at Bletchley station, their roles will include customer care, making on-train announcements and reporting or rectifying faults.

To add to the hope of a start date, rail minister Lord Peter Hendy recently gave a written statement indicating passenger trains could be running on the new line by the end of this year.

He stated: "Chiltern worked with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and other operators on the December 2026 timetable and services have been timetabled between Oxford, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes."

This will come as a relief to members of the East West Rail Action Group, who have been petitioning for the government to intervene and speed up the opening.

Many of the members live in Winslow, where a new £5m station was built in readiness for the service. They have put up with freight trains thundering past since the line was completed but are still stranded with no passenger service.

“It’s ruining lives,” said one campaigner. “People moved to the East West Rail Line corridor for work and to use the train for other reasons. Some have lost jobs because of the delay. Others, who expected to take the train, are struggling to battle rush hour traffic to places like Oxford.”

A Chiltern Railways spokesperson said earlier this year : "Significant progress has been made, including the hiring and training of 44 train drivers, the creation of a new colleague facility at Bletchley, and the fit out of a new modern station with step-free access at Winslow.

"However, there is work still to finish to prepare the trains, on Winslow station and on the operating arrangements for the new route. We are continuing our work on these areas in conjunction with industry colleagues and will provide updates as soon as we are able to."

The MK to Oxford line is part of a £5 billion plus overall East West Rail project to establish a direct passenger rail link connecting the major economic and academic hubs of Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge.

The project aims to stimulate massive economic growth, support new housing developments, and offer faster, greener travel options across the UK's ‘Brain Belt’ region.