BICESTER is open for business, according to council bosses who joined passengers in praising the first few weeks of the town's new rail link to Oxford.

The Chiltern Railways service, which opened in December, allows passengers to make the 15-minute journey between Oxford station and Bicester Village, via Oxford Parkway, and onto London Marylebone.

It is hoped the new connection will bring more businesses into Bicester town centre – just a short walk from the station.

Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth said: "This is not just about connecting Oxford to Bicester and beyond to Marylebone, this new rail link proves that Bicester is an ideal location for business and that Bicester is open for business."

Despite minor teething problems with signalling, which saw delays to trains through Oxford station, the line has proved a success and has been welcomed by passengers.

Commuter Suffize Bryan, travelling between Oxford and Bicester, said: “The line seems really good so far. It can be really busy at certain time and the new line makes it a lot easier.

“Before, I had to get a bus from Oxford Parkway which obviously made the journey a lot longer and less stressful.

"It is nice to have that direct link to Bicester Village station which is closely located to the town centre.”

Clive Dudley, from Shakespeare Drive, Bicester, said: “It’s very nice to be able to get into the centre easily.

“I am heading to a hospital appointment so it beats parking problems and charges.”

The first commuter train left Oxford station at 7.20am for London Marylebone, stopping in Bicester Village at 7.34am. On board was Oxford County Council chairman and councillor for Bicester Town Michael Waine.

He said: "The new 15 minute connection to the centre of Oxford underlines the fact that Bicester is now fully accessible from the city and the place to develop new businesses."

He added: "Why travel to Oxford every day when you could live and work in Bicester?"

Chiltern Railways spokesman Katherine Hudson said: "Chiltern Railways are gladly welcoming passengers travelling from Oxford to London following the opening of the line into Oxford city centre.

"We are seeing a healthy number of passengers travelling between Bicester and Oxford since the route reopened."

The service is subject to the new year rail fare price hike, with Chiltern Railways confirming an average increase of 1.7 per cent, compared to an industry average of 2.3 per cent.

This means an increase of 10p on a single ticket between Oxford and Bicester, which now costs £4.50 for an 'anytime single'.

Karen Abbott, used the service for the first time to take her four-year-old son Joseph and friends to The Story Museum in Oxford.

She said: “It is great to be able to use the train to get out to Oxford for the day.

“We wouldn’t be able to come otherwise as we wouldn’t travel down the A34 and even getting from Oxford Parkway with the children would be difficult.

“It is much easier now to just park at Bicester Village and get the train into the city centre, although I would like to see more offers on car parking.”