The commencement of services on a fresh railway station is encountering obstacles as railway employees consider industrial action.
East West Rail’s recently constructed Aylesbury Vale station, alongside the introduction of a Milton Keynes to Oxford corridor, risks additional postponements.
The RMT union is set to conduct a strike ballot following a two-year disagreement with train operator Chiltern Railways.
Although construction finished in October 2024, the line has yet to transport any passengers.
The disagreement centres on Chiltern’s suggestion to implement a driver operation only arrangement along the route.
Under this system, no additional crew member would travel on trains, a policy the RMT maintains endangers safety.
The union maintains that the presence of a second staff member aboard trains is vital for managing emergencies, ensuring passenger welfare, and intervening should the driver experience health difficulties.
Chiltern Railways has shown little willingness to accommodate these objections.
During the summer period, the company revealed intentions to employ station-based customer service personnel to support travellers.
This initiative failed to resolve the RMT’s concerns.
The matter progressed to a stage requiring government involvement, resulting in provisional scheduling of services within the December 2026 industry timetable.
Nevertheless, transport ministers and sector insiders have emphasised that scheduling inclusion does not equate to a confirmed commencement date.
The dispute reached a critical point the previous week when the union formally challenged Chiltern.
Notification was sent to all members indicating that train managers would participate in a strike ballot.
According to correspondence from the union, the organisation expressed disappointment that despite multiple written communications to the company outlining RMT’s opposition to the unsafe and contentious driver-only approach, the company had not offered definitive assurances regarding safe operational methods and the safety-critical function of a second staff member on board.
Insiders suggest that a positive vote is anticipated in the ballot, which would affect numerous Chiltern train services.
Local residents are increasingly exasperated by the prolonged postponements affecting the new multi-billion-pound railway line, according to East West Rail Action Group members.
The railway was conceived to convey passengers between Milton Keynes and Oxford within 42 minutes.
Numerous commuters secured employment and relocated their families in anticipation of passenger services commencing as originally projected during 2024.
Compounding their annoyance, the track sees regular freight traffic yet remains inaccessible for passenger transportation.
Richard Allan, managing director of Chiltern Railways, explained that the company’s strategy ensures every East West Rail service it operates carries two staff members, comprising the driver alongside a colleague tasked with providing customer support, verifying tickets, and assisting passengers in maximising the benefits of the new railway.
He added that Chiltern’s operational approach for these East West Rail services mirrors the safe operations of many existing train services over considerable periods, making the union’s decision to ballot for industrial action over this proposal disappointing.