Chiltern Railways officially announced as EWR service operator

[Edvid]

East West Rail services planned to begin this year as Chiltern Railways named operator | Chiltern Railways News

Chiltern Railways named as operator for first East West Rail services later this year passengers will benefit from better and faster connections between Oxford and Milton Keynes, unlocking job, education and business opportunities forms a critical part of the government’s mission to kickstart...

press.chilternrailways.co.uk

25 Mar 2025

East West Rail services planned to begin this year as Chiltern Railways named operator​

• Chiltern Railways named as operator for first East West Rail services later this year
• passengers will benefit from better and faster connections between Oxford and Milton Keynes, unlocking job, education and business opportunities
• forms a critical part of the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth by unleashing the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor

In a significant step towards boosting connectivity and growth between Oxford and Cambridge, the Rail Minister has today (25 March 2025) named Chiltern Railways as the operator for the first stage of East West Rail.

This comes ahead of its planned launch later this year, which will support almost 100 new jobs at Chiltern, boost local economies along the route and see passengers benefit from slashed journey times and better access to jobs, education and business opportunities.

When delivered in full, East West Rail is set to generate £6.7 billion of growth per year in Oxford-Cambridge by 2050, bolstering the thriving life science cluster and supporting up to 28,000 jobs in Cambridge alone.

Serving 6 stations, the new line will initially link Oxford and Milton Keynes for the first time in nearly 60 years, accelerating the regeneration of town centres and helping build new homes across the full line as part of our Plan for Change.

Rail Minister Peter, Lord Hendy, said:
"Appointing Chiltern Railways to run the first East West Rail services is one of the crucial last steps in getting the line up and running later this year and means local people in the area are closer to experiencing the benefits of this transformative project.

"This milestone demonstrates that we are serious about unlocking the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, providing greater connectivity across the region and delivering on our Plan for Change mission to drive economic growth."

A brand-new station at Winslow will reconnect the town to the rail network for the first time since the 1960s, with trains also stopping at Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village and a revamped Bletchley station along the new line.

Chiltern will manage the newly constructed station in Winslow, opening up better employment opportunities, easier access to public services and reduced reliance on road travel.

Richard Allan, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, said:
"The first stage of East West Rail will provide fast, direct train services between Oxford and Milton Keynes and we are delighted that Chiltern has been announced as operator.

"Chiltern has a proud track record of delivering new services and infrastructure, including our London to Oxford connections and introduction of new stations at Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village.

"We are looking forward to carrying customers on this exciting new route which is set to make a critical contribution to the UK’s economic growth."

David Hughes, CEO of East West Railway Co, said:
"This is a huge milestone which will allow Chiltern Railways to deliver a much-needed rail service linking the dynamic cities of Oxford and Milton Keynes, providing new opportunities for commuters and leisure travellers alike.

"This is the first part of East West Rail’s vision to extend services to Bedford and Cambridge, which will transform connectivity across the region and unlock new opportunities for economic growth."

The announcement comes following a 10-week consultation period giving local people the chance to shape the second and third stages of East West Rail, which will see the line reaching Bedford from 2030 and Cambridge from the mid-2030s.

This outlined the government’s aim for trains to be powered on the route with greener traction and hybrid battery-electric trains, which would result in cleaner and faster journeys for passengers.

Gary Walsh, Route Director for West Coast South at Network Rail said:
"We’re delighted by today’s announcement, which is fantastic news for passengers who will soon benefit from the new journey opportunities that East West Rail provides between Milton Keynes and Oxford."

Following completion of major construction, which included installing 70km of new track, 17 brand new bridges and a modern signalling system, we’re working closely with our partners at Chiltern Railways and the DfT ahead of passenger services starting later this year.

 

[zwk500]

Been a fairly open secret, but at least some things are now being given clarity. Next thing now is the start date of the passenger services

 

[A S Leib]

Given that there's less than two months left, I'd guess it's not opening with the May timetable change? I know that the Northumberland line opening was only confirmed as 15 December around two weeks before, but I don't think Bicester – Bletchley has any issues with unfinished stations.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Been a fairly open secret, but at least some things are now being given clarity. Next thing now is the start date of the passenger services

Yes it has been a long time coming - I mean admitting it.

 

[hexagon789]

Given that there's less than two months left, I'd guess it's not opening with the May timetable change? I know that the Northumberland line opening was only confirmed as 15 December around two weeks before, but I don't think Bicester – Bletchley has any issues with unfinished stations.

I thought it was supposed to be this December, albeit paths may be in from May.

 

[GatwickDepress]

One step closer to seeing EWR become reality. Quite excited really.

 

[BlueLeanie]

It's taken so long to announce, I'd started to convince myself there was going to be a big announcement that it was going to be operated by the Mayor of BOB as part of local Government restructuring.

Now, just publish the official start date!

 

[Peter Sarf]

Indeed. The lack of a start date just smacks of too little info to late. Sadly the rumour mill has got a lot more credibility and appears more likely to be up to date.

 

[Royston Vasey]

Reassuringly extensive mentions of the word "Cambridge" and justifications for Cambridge, since it's de rigeur these days to chop the useful bits off the far ends of our major rail projects, and an operator chosen who doesn't currently come within 100 km of Cambridge!

 

[Jan Mayen]

It's taken so long to announce, I'd started to convince myself there was going to be a big announcement that it was going to be operated by the Mayor of BOB as part of local Government restructuring.

Now, just publish the official start date!

When i read that, i immediately imagined the EWR being operated by Bernese Oberland Railway...

 

[Edvid]

There's another Oxford-Milton Keynes page on the Chiltern Railways website which includes a list of FAQs.

Chiltern Railways selected as operator for the first stage of East West Rail - Oxford to Milton Keynes | Chiltern Railways

Serving six stations, the new route will transform economic and social connections in the area by linking Oxford and Milton Keynes with reliable and efficient rail services for the first time in nearly 60 years.

www.chilternrailways.co.uk

 

[A S Leib]

There's another Oxford-Milton Keynes page on the Chiltern Railways website which includes a list of FAQs.

Chiltern Railways selected as operator for the first stage of East West Rail - Oxford to Milton Keynes | Chiltern Railways

Serving six stations, the new route will transform economic and social connections in the area by linking Oxford and Milton Keynes with reliable and efficient rail services for the first time in nearly 60 years.

www.chilternrailways.co.uk

No news yet on e.g. which combination of Bletchley, Bicester, Slough (and Wokingham?) default Winslow to London tickets will be valid for yet then, or if journeys like Watford to Oxford will have a 'via Winslow' option.

 

[zwk500]

No news yet on e.g. which combination of Bletchley, Bicester, Slough (and Wokingham?) default Winslow to London tickets will be valid for yet then,

Isn't the default route the fastest route? In which case, Winslow to London is surely going to be change at MK? Whether it's further valid via Bicester or Oxford is another question.

or if journeys like Watford to Oxford will have a 'via Winslow' option.

I imagine it'll either have a 'not via London' option for which either Winslow or Birmingham is valid, or those two points as separate fare options to encourage people away from the busy Birmingham routes.

 

[Jan Mayen]

I understand that the default route is the shortest, or by a direct train. I assume the routing guide will be updated in due course.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

Charlbury to High Wycombe doesn’t even have a “via Bicester” fare yet, ten years after the new chord opened, so I wouldn’t hold your breath for Watford to Oxford…

Look up fares for any train journey in Britain

Full details of all British rail Single, Return & Season tickets and Travelcards. Built-in Season Ticket Calculator.

www.brfares.com

 

[BlueLeanie]

Isn't the default route the fastest route? In which case, Winslow to London is surely going to be change at MK? Whether it's further valid via Bicester or Oxford is another question.

Not sure if "quickest" is an official routing guide.

I've already got a friend pondering her commute from Kidlington (Oxford Parkway) to Wellcome (opposite Euston).

It's looking like the quickest route would be Euston - Bletchley - Parkway

The only thing we can be sure of is that opening up this new route will keep the split ticketing, restriction, & routing enthusiasts entertained for years.

 

[CyrusWuff]

The only thing we can be sure of is that opening up this new route will keep the split ticketing, restriction, & routing enthusiasts entertained for years.

Especially with Euston - Bletchley now having been Ovalised, whereas on Chiltern it will only reach Princes Risborough on the High Wycombe line.

 

[NickBucks]

Do we know how short term this may be ? Lots of "blowing their own trumpet" from Chitern but is there anything in the Govt announcement about how long this will last ? I assume that when Chiltern's service contract, call it what you will, expires in 2027 then as the service returns to public control then GBR or the DoT can make whatever service changes they think appropriate given that Bedford-Cambridge is years away and we still await plans for Bletchley to Bedford following the consultation period.

 

[Nottingham59]

Are there any official projected passenger numbers for when services start on this section of the line?

 

[zwk500]

Are there any official projected passenger numbers for when services start on this section of the line?

There will be in the business case

 

[jfollows]

I understand that the default route is the shortest, or by a direct train. I assume the routing guide will be updated in due course.

Yes, direct trains are always valid (think Crewe-Birmingham via Shrewsbury), shortest route plus any other routes within 3 miles of the shortest route are valid. Nothing to do with “quickest”.

Further valid routes defined by maps plus NFM fares check - bogus fares for the new stations for the latter will have to be defined or invented.

Winslow-Bletchley 7m15ch
Bicester London Road-Winslow 12m25ch
per 1964 working timetable
Bicester London Road became Bicester Town became Bicester Village
Bicester Village-Marylebone 55m5ch (more via Oxford)
Bletchley-Euston 46m25ch

So clearly via Bletchley is the shorter route (I make it 53m49ch versus 67m30ch)

80 chains to 1 mile.

EDIT My guess is that Bicester London Road Town Village will become a routeing point and that Winslow will be associated with it and Bletchley, and then the fares check will determine which or both can be used for a specific destination. This will determine whether or not Winslow-Bicester-Marylebone is a valid “any permitted” route.

 

[tfw756rider]

Do we know how short term this may be ? Lots of "blowing their own trumpet" from Chitern but is there anything in the Govt announcement about how long this will last ? I assume that when Chiltern's service contract, call it what you will, expires in 2027 then as the service returns to public control then GBR or the DoT can make whatever service changes they think appropriate given that Bedford-Cambridge is years away and we still await plans for Bletchley to Bedford following the consultation period.

Today's (25/3/25) ianVisits article Chiltern Railways confirmed to operate the East West Rail link later this year says the following:

Under the government’s plans to nationalise train operating companies, Chiltern Railways could be nationalised as soon as August this year (2025). This would potentially mean that the East West Rail link will open with a nationalised train company.

 

[RGM654]

I note "forms a critical part of the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth by unleashing the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor", even though getting to Cambridge is many years away and Bicester - Milton Keynes was approaching completion by the time the present government came to power.

 

[Haywain]

I note "forms a critical part of the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth by unleashing the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor", even though getting to Cambridge is many years away and Bicester - Milton Keynes was approaching completion by the time the present government came to power.

To be fair, it doesn't say this government.

 

[birchesgreen]

Its always "the government" no matter which team is deluding themselves they are telling civil servants what to do.

 

[dk1]

Yes announced as Chiltern as expected. No surprise on social media that the usual bores are still banging on about lack of electrification

 

[DarloRich]

Least. Surprising. News. Ever!

 

[BlueLeanie]

Yes, direct trains are always valid (think Crewe-Birmingham via Shrewsbury), shortest route plus any other routes within 3 miles of the shortest route are valid. Nothing to do with “quickest”.

Further valid routes defined by maps plus NFM fares check - bogus fares for the new stations for the latter will have to be defined or invented.

Winslow-Bletchley 7m15ch
Bicester London Road-Winslow 12m25ch
per 1964 working timetable
Bicester London Road became Bicester Town became Bicester Village
Bicester Village-Marylebone 55m5ch (more via Oxford)
Bletchley-Euston 46m25ch

So clearly via Bletchley is the shorter route (I make it 53m49ch versus 67m30ch)

80 chains to 1 mile.

Once the Aylesbury chord reopens, won't that be the shortest route from Winslow to London?

So there'll be an existing route, then a slow shorter route.

I know that the Northumberland line opening was only confirmed as 15 December around two weeks before,

When did the fare data get uploaded?

 

[jfollows]

Once the Aylesbury chord reopens, won't that be the shortest route from Winslow to London?

So there'll be an existing route, then a slow shorter route.

59m53ch via the old chord, but I may be wrong. There’s not a lot in it for sure!

EDIT That's the mileage via High Wycombe, it's 4m49ch shorter via Amersham/Aylesbury, so that's 55m04ch so is still not the shortest route! But well within 3 miles of it so it'd be a valid route.

EDIT And I had to check, but the route via Aylesbury isn’t included in the current plans, it’s just an extra “local” option.

 

[MadMac]

Isn't the default route the fastest route? In which case, Winslow to London is surely going to be change at MK? Whether it's further valid via Bicester or Oxford is another question.

I imagine it'll either have a 'not via London' option for which either Winslow or Birmingham is valid, or those two points as separate fare options to encourage people away from the busy Birmingham routes.

Any odds available on when the first Winslow-bound passenger will end up in Wilmslow (or vice versa)?