Instead, Chiltern Railways has started hiring Customer Service Inspectors—roles that closely resemble the duties of traditional guards. Oxford's new railway line to Milton Keynes has been complete for almost two years, but passenger trains still aren't running. The new inspectors, to be based at the Bletchley depot—home to East West Rail services—will undertake tasks including customer care, revenue protection, making on-train announcements, and reporting or rectifying faults. The Government previously said trains from Oxford to Milton Keynes are being lined up to appear in the December rail timetable. In a written statement, rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: "Chiltern worked with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and other operators on the December 2026 timetable and services have been timetabled between Oxford, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes."