Chiltern Railways is increasing the number of services from Monday (July 6).

To prepare for the gradual increase in the number of commuters travelling by train, Chiltern is increasing capacity.

The operator has been running a reduced service since lockdown started on March 23 but has kept trains running for key workers.

The new timetable will work to increase capacity on the Marylebone – Amersham – Aylesbury line as well as strengthening services to Oxford and Birmingham.

Monday to Friday there will be half hourly services from Marylebone to Aylesbury, increasing to four services an hour in the peak and half hourly services to Birmingham and Oxford.

The new timetable brings services back up to 90 per cent compared to pre-pandemic.

Passengers are still being urged to only travel on the train where completely necessary.

If you do have to travel by train, passengers are being advised to go in quieter times where possible, book tickets and access the latest information on the Chiltern app and use contactless to avoid paying with cash.

Those travelling must also maintain social distances and wear face coverings if you can, as well as regularly washing hands before and after the journey - and staying at home if you feel unwell.

Mary Hewitt, interim managing director at Chiltern Railways said: “We want to reassure customers that their safety and the safety of our staff is of the utmost importance to us.

"We’re taking lots of extra steps to keep people safe such as increased cleaning onboard our trains and at our stations using enhanced products and we are also looking to provide as much capacity as possible to enable the 1m plus social distancing rule.

"To ensure that we can continue running a safe railway, we would encourage passengers to only travel and use public transport if absolutely necessary, in line with government guidance.

"If you do need to use public transport, we would like to remind our customers, for the safety of all, that face coverings are now mandatory, except for specific medical conditions.”