A proposal for for trains on East West Rail to be staffed by a driver and a customer service inspector have failed to break the deadlock between the Department for Transport and the RMT, which has been opposing plans to use driver-only trains between Oxford and Milton Keynes Central.

The line between Bicester and Bletchley has been open in theory since 2024, but it has only seen freight, charter and test trains until now, leaving the new station at Winslow out of use.

Chiltern Railways, which has been chosen as the operator, has been advertising vacancies for cusomer service inspectors, who would not be a ‘safety-critical’ member of staff, leaving the driver to open and close the doors.

Chiltern has said that it has made ‘significant progress’ in preparing for the line to be opened to scheduled passenger trains, but no date has been announced. It says it is continuing to work ‘closely’ with the DfT, trade unions and industry partners.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said a guaranteed safety-critical second person onboard trains was essential for carrying out a wide range of duties and responding properly to ‘dangerous and fast-moving’ situations.

He continued: ‘We need a clear commitment from Chiltern that East West Rail services will not be Driver Only Operation and that a second safety-critical member of staff will be guaranteed.

‘Passengers value the reassurance of having staff onboard, and RMT remains totally opposed to DOO and will use all of the political and industrial strength available to defend safety on the railway.’

Meanwhile, Chiltern Railways is to be renationalised on 20 September, when the operator will be taken over by DfT Operator in preparation for Great British Railways.

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