Full Breakdown
RMT Calls Two-Day Strikes Over Driver-Only Operation on East West Rail
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 29, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union announced that its members will undertake 24-hour strike action on Saturday 10 October 2026 and again on Saturday 17 October 2026. The industrial action targets Chiltern Railways’ plan to run East West Rail services with driver-only operation (DOO), a model the union says endangers safety by removing the traditional Train Manager role.
Background & Context
East West Rail, a new line linking Oxford and Milton Keynes, has been physically complete since October 2024, with limited freight and testing runs to date. Services were originally slated to begin by the end of December 2025, but the timetable has been delayed amid the dispute over staffing. Chiltern Railways, recently placed under public ownership, has operated DOO on other parts of its network for years, arguing that the practice is safe and approved by the independent rail regulator. The RMT contends that a second crew member on board is a safety-critical requirement, especially for the new route.
Official Statements & Responses
He criticised Chiltern’s refusal to provide safety guarantees as “totally unacceptable.” Chiltern’s spokesperson, identified as Baxter, countered that every East West Rail service will still have two people on board—a driver and a colleague looking after passengers—and that the company has safely run driver-controlled doors for decades. A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson affirmed that the plans “will not change” the roles, terms or staffing levels of Train Managers and labeled any contrary suggestion as false. Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy noted that Chiltern had worked with Network Rail and the DfT on the December 2026 timetable, though the DfT later clarified that only a base timetable, not a confirmed December service, had been set.
Timeline of Key Developments
- September 21 (occurred): RMT demonstration outside Marylebone station.
- September 29 (scheduled): Union announces strike ballot results and upcoming action.
- October 10 & 17 2026 (scheduled): Planned 24-hour strikes by RMT members.
Potential Impact on Services
The DfT expects most Chiltern services to continue running during the strikes, but the exact effect on East West Rail preparations remains uncertain. The dispute also delays the anticipated passenger connection between Oxford and Cambridge, a flagship project slated for completion in the mid-to-late 2030s.