Transport Insights

Rail magazine reports that there is still no passenger service on East West Rail 500 days after it opened to traffic.

Frustration is growing among residents and local politicians over the absence of passenger services along the route of the first phase of East West Rail, 500 days since the line opened to traffic and as the first anniversary approaches of Chiltern Railways being awarded the operating contract.

EWR has been beset by problems that have prevented services from running – including trade disputes, issues with rolling stock, and construction delays.

The latter includes at Winslow station – the only new station between Oxford and Milton Keynes.

The trade disputes include an ongoing argument over whether trains will run on driver only operation – an issue that has long been expected to cause a row with rail unions.

Similarly, the BBC reported a month ago:

Residents of Winslow are frustrated a new railway station completed over a year ago has still not opened.

A local councillor said it had been due to open in the Buckinghamshire town in December 2025 but there had been a “comedy of errors”, including a row over who will control the opening and closing of carriage doors.

Diana Blamires, who sits on the town council, said the local community was “obviously furious” and “it makes Winslow station a laughing stock”.

The picture of the station I have used here is from a Network Rail announcement in October 2024 –– with the headline:

First train completes test run between Oxford and Milton Keynes for East West Rail

That is indeed around 500 days ago.