Transport Insights

Services on the first phase of East West Rail are set to miss the target of the end of this year as the operator seeks to continue the de-staffing of the railways in the wake of the recent attack on a train.

At the same time, the completion of the whole, three-phase route is at the very least delayed further, if it ever happens.

I’ve written before about the lack of a commitment to the previous December start date for the first phase and last week Heidi Alexander was unable to say anything positive to the Transport Committee. Now the BBC reports that:

The BBC understands train operator Chiltern Railways is in a standoff with the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, which represents train guards, over how East West Rail services between Oxford and Milton Keynes will run.

The RMT said the operator wants train drivers to open and close the doors at stations, with no guards required.

Passenger trains were scheduled to start running between Oxford and Milton Keynes for the first time in nearly 60 years by the end of December.

An RMT spokesman said: “On Chiltern and East West Rail, we can confirm that management have written to the union spelling out their plans for DOO.

“We are seeking talks and RMT’s standing policy is that we are opposed to DOO.”

Rail magazine reports the confirmation that Chiltern HR director has only just confirmed that the firm wants to use DOO.

Funnily enough (and thanks to NCE on this one) the National Infrastructure and Services Transformation Authority’s (Nista’s) annual report 2024/25 said earlier in the summer:

Risk still remains over the trade union response to the mode of operation decision and how this may affect proposed time schedules to enter into service.

Meanwhile, the Department for Transport has issued a press release with “the next steps for the second phase of the project today”, which are expected to delay it further.

It includes a quote from Jonny Haseldine, head of corporate governance and business environment policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, that is as doubtful as it is supportive:

If these plans are implemented in full, it will be a clear win for local communities and the economy.

It is indeed a big “if”.