Bletchley to Bedford Marston Vale Line train services to be …
The Marston Vale Community Rail service, which serves stations in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, is set to begin transporting passengers again later this year. Train timetables on the line were suspended in December 2022, leading to a replacement bus service instead. The Marston Vale Line serves passengers between southern Milton Keynes[1] and Bedford but services were temporarily suspended on December 1, 2022, following confirmation that Vivarail had entered administration.
Vivarail directly employed the maintenance staff who fuel, examine, service, repair and respond to any in-service faults, so it was deemed no longer safe to operate the Class 230 trains following the company's administration. London Northwestern Railway (LNR), which oversees the line, worked closely with the Department for Transport to identify a solution which will enable the return of trains to the Marston Vale Line as quickly as possible. Due to the short platforms at the line's stations[2], there were limited options available.
Two carriage class 150 trains are set to be introduced to the line having undergone a full refurbishment since they were last used on the line in 2019. The 150s are expected to arrive at Bletchley[4] station in June 2023 for driver and senior conductor training. It is expected a morning and evening peak service will start in Autumn 2023, leading to the reinstatement of the full timetable by January 2024.
A full rail replacement bus service will continue to be provided in the meantime.
The Marston Vale line serves the following stations:
- Bedford
- Bedford St Johns
- Kempston Hardwick
- Stewartby
- Millbrook
- Lidlington
- Ridgmont
- Aspley Guise
- Woburn Sands
- Bow Brickhill
- Fenny Stratford
- Bletchley
References
- ^ Milton Keynes (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
- ^ stations (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
- ^ Milton Keynes to London Euston train passengers boost as London Northwestern Railway removes First Class tickets (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
- ^ Bletchley (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
References
- ^ Milton Keynes (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
- ^ stations (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
- ^ Milton Keynes to London Euston train passengers boost as London Northwestern Railway removes First Class tickets (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
- ^ Bletchley (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
References
- ^ Milton Keynes (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
- ^ stations (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
- ^ Milton Keynes to London Euston train passengers boost as London Northwestern Railway removes First Class tickets (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
- ^ Bletchley (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)