Marston Vale Line services were temporarily suspended on 1st December 2022 following confirmation that Vivarail (the company which maintains the Class 230 trains) had entered administration.
As Vivarail directly employed the maintenance staff who fuel, examine, service, repair and respond to any in-service faults, it was no longer safe to operate the Class 230s from the point of administration.
Since the service was suspended, London Northwestern Railway (LNR) have 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. Unfortunately the short platforms at stations along the Line has limited the number of options available.
Arrangements have been made to introduce Class 150s. Passengers may remember these two carriage units from their service on the Line until 2019. These trains have since undergone a full refurbishment including the installation of accessible toilets.
The 150s are expected to arrive at Bletchley in June 2023. Driver and Senior Conductor training will then take place.
Under the strict rail industry safety regulations, train drivers must undergo training before they are permitted to operate a particular type of train. Drivers who do not drive a particular train type for a set period (usually six months if they previously operated that class of train, or three months if they have just been trained on it) are considered to have ‘lapsed’ and must undergo training again.
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.
Regular stakeholder meetings are taking place in which Marston Vale CRP are involved.
A full rail replacement bus service (all stations and limited stop) will continue to be provided in the meantime. All vehicles are accessible.
Cycles can be accommodated on the limited stop buses – carried at own risk.
Dedicated buses are being provided for Kimberley College students travelling from Bedford.
Refunds for delayed journeys of 15 minutes or more can be claimed from the LNR Delay Repay Scheme. Please visit https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/about-us/delay-repay for train journeys and e-mail contact.lnr@wmtrains.co.uk for Rail Replacement Bus journeys.
Please include full details of the delay to your Rail Replacement Bus journey and any consequences for onward train connection to assist processing.
Rail Replacement Bus Stops are located as follows. Please check with the driver or check signs on bus windscreens to confirm direction of travel if you are not sure.
Bedford
At the station front in Ashburnham Road for services in both directions.
Bedford St Johns
By the entrance to the Melbourne Street car park from Melbourne Street for services in both directions.
Kempston Hardwick
From the turning circle, near the entrance to platform 1 for services in both directions.
Stewartby
From the entrance to the disused Brickworks for services towards Bedford.
From the pavement just before the level crossing near platform 1 for services towards Bletchley.
Millbrook
From opposite the Station House for services towards Bedford.
From outside the Station House for services towards Bletchley.
Lidlington
From Bye Road, adjacent to the entrance to platform 1 for services in both directions.
Ridgmont
From the bus stop outside Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre for services to Bletchley.
From the bus stop opposite Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre for services to Bedford.
Aspley Guise
From the entrance to platform 1 for services towards Bletchley.
From the pavement on the village side of the level crossing for services towards Bedford.
Woburn Sands
From the bus stop outside the Station Hotel for services towards Bedford.
From the bus stop after the level crossing, opposite the junction to Summerlin Drive for services towards Bletchley.
Bow Brickhill
From the bus stops either side of Brickhill Street, just after the level crossing. Please check the signs at the bus stops for direction of travel.
Fenny Stratford
From the bus stop on Simpson Road by the station entrance for services in both directions.
Bletchley
From the station forecourt, for services in both directions.
Please purchase rail tickets from a staffed station, the Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at unstaffed stations (card only) or via https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/tickets-discounts/ticket-types
Tickets purchased online can be collected at any TVM.
Please note the bus drivers are unable to issue rail tickets.
Please report any problems to London Northwestern Railway (LNR) via https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/contact-us/customer-relations
Download the rail replacement bus timetable here
Download the Kimberley College Special Rail Replacement Bus Timetable here
