A full timetable will resume on the Marston Vale Line between Bedford and Bletchley next week (Monday, February 19), operator London Northwestern Railway (LNR) has announced.
A partial timetable has been in operation on the route since November 2023, with four services per day in each direction during weekday morning and afternoon peaks. Prior to this the line had been served by rail replacement buses since December 2022, after the company which maintained the Class 230 trains previously used on the route entered administration.
The full hourly train service will resume on Monday 19 February. To celebrate its return and encourage passengers to return to the route, LNR is also announcing a major ticket offer today.
For three months from Monday, a single journey between any two stations on the Marston Vale Line will cost just £1 (50p for children). The promotion represents a discount of up to 90% on the usual fare, depending on the journey.
Jonny Wiseman, LNR customer experience director, said: “The return of the full timetable to the Marston Vale Line is fantastic news and marks the end of a frustrating period for our customers.
“Our focus now is on encouraging passengers to make full use of their local train service, which is why we have reduced the cost of a trip on the line to £1 for the next three months.
“We recognise that due to logistical challenges it has taken longer than we had hoped to bring back the full timetable but we are thrilled we can now reinstate services and we look forward to welcoming passengers back on board.”
Stephen Sleight, from the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership, said: “I am delighted a full train service is resuming on the line, which is a lifeline for communities and means an enormous amount to local people who rely on it for education, work and leisure.
“It is also a key connecting route for those making longer journeys beyond Bedford and Bletchley. The new ticket offer is fantastic news for passengers, particularly at the start of half term. We have a number of exciting plans to celebrate the relaunch of the line, including a new promotional film to be released in time for Easter.”
Due to the very short platforms on the Marston Vale Line, only certain types of train can be used on the route. Following the demise of the Class 230s, LNR worked with partners in the rail industry to arrange the transfer of three Class 150 trains from elsewhere in the country to restore the service.
The Class 150 trains being used on the route were most recently in service with Northern. Each train is wheelchair accessible and has capacity for 173 passengers. The trains have been recently refurbished with features including a universally accessible toilet, an upgraded passenger information system and USB charging points throughout the carriages.
The full timetable will see hourly services running in each direction between Bedford and Bletchley from Monday-Saturday. There is no Sunday service on the Marston Vale Line.
More information on the project to restore services to the Marston Vale Line over the past 12 months is available on the LNR website here.
FEBRUARY 2024 LINKS TO THE PAPERS
BEDFORD BOROUGH BULLETIN
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696089#page/1
KEMPSTON CALLING
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696145#page/1
BEDS COUNTY BULLETIN
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696133#page/1
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