Chiltern Railways is preparing to take over operation of the Oxford to Bicester Town branch line later this month as the first step towards creating a new Oxford to London Rail link via Bicester.

The company will replace First Great Western from Sunday, May 22, when new summer rail timetables start.

Drivers and conductors from Chiltern’s Banbury depot have been learning the route ahead of the handover.

A similar service to the current FGW timetable will operate, with Oxfordshire County Council continuing to fund extra trains that have helped produce a 75 per cent rise in passenger numbers at Bicester Town and a 39 per cent rise at Islip in the past two years.

Fares will remain unchanged. However, first-class seats will no longer be available. All current season tickets remain valid.

Chiltern’s customer service director Ian Baxter said: “We’re delighted to be taking over running these services and look forward to welcoming new passengers to Chiltern Railways.

“As a result of this change, we’re now responsible for both Bicester North and Bicester Town stations.”

The company is waiting to hear whether Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will grant it a Transport and Works Act order giving permission for its plan to create a new London link, following a public inquiry held in Oxford between last November and January this year.

Chiltern wants to build a new connection from Bicester Town station to the Banbury-London Marylebone line and modernise the Oxford-Bicester line, with trains running through to London by 2013.