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 have been working hard to examine all options for resumption of train services as soon as possible.
This work has included detailed consideration of each of the following options:
- Reinstating the Class 230s
- Using an alternative type of train from within their own fleet
- Sourcing replacement trains from elsewhere in the country
Regular stakeholder meetings are taking place in which Marston Vale CRP are involved.
Unfortunately a date has yet to be confirmed for the resumption of train services.
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.
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.
Please note there is a temporary issue with the limited stop bus calling at Bedford St Johns due to a group of travellers in the Melbourne Street car park.
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 stops either side of Brickhill Street, just after the level crossing. Please check the signs at the bus stops for direction of travel.
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
Refunds for delayed journeys can be claimed from the LNR Delay Repay Scheme – https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/about-us/delay-repay
Please include full details of the delay to your Rail Replacement Bus journey and any consequences for onward train connection to assist processing.
Download the rail replacement bus timetable here
Download the Kimberley College Special Rail Replacement Bus Timetable here
