New setback for Milton Keynes to Oxford train line as rail union ballots for strike action

The RMT union has been in battle with operators Chiltern Railways for two years now and the line has never opened for passengers – despite being completed since October 2024.

The problem stems from Chiltern’s proposal to use Driver Operation Only (DOO) trains on the route. This means no second member of staff will be on board to coordinate emergency responses, look after passenger safefy or take over if the driver falls ill.

The RMT considers the second person on board is “critical” to safety but so far their pleas have fallen on deaf ears with Chiltern

Earlier this summer the rail company did announce a plan to recruit ‘customer service colleagues’, based at stations, to help passengers with enquiries or any problems. However, this has brought no appeasement to RMT.

The situation even caused the government to intervene, after which services were provisionally mapped into the December 2026 industry timetable planning.

But rail ministers and industry sources confirm this does not guarantee an actual launch date .

Now the situation has reached an impasse and last week the union launched an official dispute again Chiltern. It has written to all members to inform them train managers will be balloted for strike action.

The letter states: “It is disappointing that despite on several occasions having written to the company to advise them of RMT’s opposition to the unsafe and contentious method in the form of Driver Operation Only (DOO), the company has failed to provide clear guarantees on a safe method of operation and over the safety critical role of the second person on board.”

It adds: “As you are aware this proposed method of operation, DOO, represents a significant risk to the rail network and the current Train Mananger network at Chiltern.

"I have now informed Chiltern Railways that RMT union is now in dispute with the company and that train managers will now be balloted for strike action and action short of a strike.”

Sources say a yes vote is expected in the ballot and the result would have an impact of several Chiltern train services.

Meanwhile, members of the East West Rail Action Group say the public is getting increasingly frustrated at the delays in using the new multi-billion pound line, which was designed to whisk passenger between Milton Keynes and Oxford in just 42 minutes.

They say commuters took jobs and people even moved houses with the expectation that passenger trains would run, as originally stated, from 2024.

To add to their frustration, the track is used regularly for freight trains but still no passenger journeys.

Richard Allan, managing director of Chiltern Railways, said: "Chiltern’s plan is that every East West Rail service it operates will have two colleagues on board - the Driver, plus a colleague dedicated to providing customer assistance, checking tickets, and helping customers get the most out of using the new line.

"Our new services between Oxford and Milton Keynes will offer access to jobs, education and leisure for many thousands of people, as well as creating more than 100 new permanent roles at Chiltern, with no changes to the roles of existing colleagues.

"The way that Chiltern is planning to operate these East West Rail services is no different to the way many of our existing trains have safely operated for many decades, so we are disappointed that the RMT has decided to ballot for industrial action on this proposal."

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include a fresh response from Chiltern Railways.