In 2023, we set out Chiltern’s ‘Right Route’ 2030 Vision to deliver easier, greener and better journeys. Based on the feedback we received, our 2030 Vision set out our 3-stage plan to decarbonise and modernise the Chiltern network to improve services for customers and meet the needs of our growing communities in the years to come.
Over 42,000 houses are planned on the Chiltern network by 2030. Future commercial developments along our existing routes such as the Oxford United Football Stadium and Silverstone expansion will rely on rail services. The Oxford–Cambridge corridor is also on the brink of major growth too, with projects like the Puy du Fou Park and housing growth across the arc driving increased demand for our services.
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The Right Route for Chiltern Railways
Central to our vision is a long-term strategy for a phased renewal of our fleet. Working closely with the Department for Transport, we've started our journey to 2030, which will see an easier, greener and better future for a significant part of our network.
Stage 1 – Improving our trains and stations (2023 – 2026):
- We are pleased to say that great progress has been made since our initial 2030 Vision was published. We’ve introduced more trains for leisure customers from Banbury to London on a Saturday from May 2025 and now run 6 additional weekly peak services to key commuter stations in Buckinghamshire.
- In the first part of Chiltern’s plan to improve our existing trains, our 25-year-old diesel (Class 168) trains are undergoing a £12 million refurbishment including improved Wi-Fi, USB sockets, a full repaint and an interior refurbishment.
- These trains will continue to provide comfortable journeys, as will Chiltern’s 35-year-old (Class 165) trains which are due to begin their own £4 million refresh in 2025.
Stage 2 – More trains and services (2026):
- Perhaps, most excitingly, under the second stage of our 2030 Vision, we have secured 13 modern (MK5A) trains to replace our oldest carriages. This will provide a significant improvement to on-board customer facilities for services operating between London and the West Midlands, stopping in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.
- Our newer trains will be introduced gradually from early 2026, with additional timetabled services planned from December 2026, delivering 10,000 more seats every weekday and giving customers access to new features including plug sockets at every seat, improved Wi-Fi, and dedicated storage for luggage and bikes.
- In addition to expanding our existing routes, we are delivering new journeys for customers too. We are working hard to introduce rail services between Oxford and Milton Keynes and make rail services a backbone for accessing jobs and leisure across the region. We believe that the vision we set out is the right one for Chiltern and will meet the growing demand from our customers and communities.
Stage 3 – Decarbonising and modernising the rest of the network (Early 2030’s):
- Our focus now shifts to the third stage of our 2030 Vision: expanding our ability to meet growing customer demand across our network by replacing our oldest diesel trains with battery-electric trains, powered by partial electrification. This is crucial for decarbonising our network and supporting economic growth.
