David Hopkins, Councillor for the Danesborough and Walton Ward took the opportunity to inspect the refurbished trains on the Marston Vale Line ahead of its reopening.
The Marston Vale line runs between Bedford and Bletchley but has been out of action since its suspension last December, when Vivarail entered administration.
London Northwestern Railway says it hopes services will return this month (November), with an exact date yet to be confirmed.
Cllr David Hopkins took the opportunity to attend the unveiling of the refurbished Class 150 trains and says he is committed locally to work with partners on the reopening of the service.
The trains now feature a universally accessible toilet, an upgraded passenger information system and USB charging points throughout the carriages. The train also features CCTV and has much improved space for bicycles.
Cllr Hopkins, whose Danesborough and Walton ward includes the stations at Woburn Sands and Bow Brickhill said: “The passenger train service has been out of action for a year following the withdrawal of the class 230 trains which repeatedly suffered from mechanical failures.
“I have committed locally to work with partners along the entire length of the line to remarket the service and attract back those customers who have taken up alternatives to train use and will work with London Northwestern Railway (the service operator) to market the service through offers and promotions.”
A limited timetable has now been released by the operator, which will see services return on weekdays with additional departures and Saturday services returning after more drivers have completed training on the Class 150s.
In May, London Northwestern Railway stated that 24 train drivers will need to be trained on the Class 150 in order to reintroduce the service after it was found 'no longer safe' to operate the previous Class 230s.
The initial timetable can be found here.
