Union members of the National union of Rail Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) have had the option to vote to strike from September, 3.
The ballot to strike is set to close on Tuesday, September 29.
The union has been in a long-standing dispute with Chiltern Railways over the implementation of driver-only operated services, a method of operation the union claims is “unsafe and contentious.”
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An end was in sight for a dispute that halted the much-anticipated introduction of new trains from Oxford to Milton Keynes.
The railway line from Oxford to Milton Keynes has been complete for almost two years, but passenger trains still aren’t running because of a row over who Chiltern Railways has hired.
But now strike action could begin soon.
The union also staged a demonstration outside Marylebone station in London on September 21 amid the ongoing dispute.
A total of 45 drivers have been recruited for the new service but no guards, a key crew member responsible for the safe, legal, and smooth operation of a passenger train.
Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said in June: “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.”
But the The Department for Transport refused claims that the line had been put in the December timetable but only the ‘base timetable’ and it isn’t confirmed to run in December.
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