Rail union RMT staged a demonstration outside London Marylebone on 21 September against Chiltern Railways’ proposal to operate East West Rail services with just a driver and on-board host, removing the safety-critical guard role. The protest comes one day after the operator was renationalised and as members vote on whether to strike; the ballot closes on 29 September. Driver-only operation (DOO) has long been contested in the UK rail sector, with unions arguing it jeopardises passenger safety and accessibility. For corporate-travel planners, the key concern is the risk of fresh industrial action this autumn—just as many companies ramp up domestic meetings and airport transfers in the Oxford–Milton Keynes corridor served by the new line. If strikes proceed, East West Rail could see initial phases of its long-awaited services disrupted, undermining the government’s ‘green corridor’ narrative aimed at shifting car commuters onto rail. Employers may need to budget for higher taxi usage or consider remote-meeting alternatives. Travellers transiting between Heathrow and the Cambridge-Oxford science arc—home to many R&D sites—would be among the most affected groups. The Department for Transport says it “expects all parties to engage constructively”, but has not ruled out contingency staffing. Previous DOO disputes at Southern and Northern railways led to prolonged rolling strikes, suggesting mobility managers should scenario-plan for at least several weeks of possible disruption.
Source: Morning Star
