Chatty Bus event on 1st December 2022

Join us in tackling loneliness and isolation across our network on 1st December 2022. 

One in three people deliberately catch the bus to have some form of social interaction and two-thirds of bus users believe that the bus creates strong community ties.

Supported by volunteers from Oxford Bus Company and Age UK, our Chatty Bus Champions will be on-board the city46 bus on 1st December 2022 to chat to passengers as they travel in order to tackle loneliness and isolation in our community.

We’d also like to encourage as many people as possible to join our Chatty Bus event and hop on the city46 bus. The bus will be departing Oxford at 08:51 and 10:51, and Great Milton at 09:50 and 11:50. The full timetable is available below, and we’ll also publish a tracking link to make locating us simpler.

View the Chatty Bus timetable.

Chatty Bus discount

For those that wish to join us on the bus for a chat, but don’t currently have a valid bus pass, you can do so for a hugely discounted rate of 50% off. Simply ask your driver for a ‘Chatty Bus discount’*. You driver will issue you with a 50% discount on the usual return bus fare (so that you’re able to do a loop with us or travel to a designated location and then get back afterwards). Our Chatty Bus Champions will be on the bus to assist you if you have any questions.

Of course, if you have a concessionary bus pass, your bus journey will be free after 9:00 AM.

Turn it into a day out

There are lots of fantastic reasons to travel to Oxford on 1st December, and so you may wish to make it into a day out. Here are some of the things you can do:

• Oxford Christmas Market
  • The Oxford Christmas Market starts from 1st December and it’s a wonderful way to enjoy a truly magical Christmas experience. There will be plenty of market traders offering unusual and handmade gifts, colourful decorations, etc. Or you could simply enjoy the aroma of mulled wine and cinnamon drifting in the air. Find out more: www.oxfordchristmasmarket.co.uk.
     
• City Sightseeing Oxford
  • Do you wish to know more about Oxford? Join on the City Sightseeing Oxford bus tour or walking tour to re-discover your city in a fun and enjoyable way! Find out more: www.citysightseeingoxford.com.
     
• Westgate Oxford
  • The Secret of Santa’s Little Reindeer grotto is back at the Westgate Oxford from 1st December. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants for you to fully enjoy your day out in Oxford. Find out more: www.westgateoxford.co.uk
     
• Carfax Tower
  • Climb 99 steps to the top of the tower to enjoy a beautiful view of Oxford's skyline. Carfax Tower is all that remains of the 13th century St Martin’s Church and tickets cost only £3 for adults and £2 for children. Find out more: www.citysightseeingoxford.com/carfax-tower

There are so many things to do in Oxford! For more ideas, visit: www.oxfordbus.co.uk/things-to-do.

Unable to join us on the bus?

That’s OK. You can start a conversation with a fellow passenger on any bus. Here are some helpful conversation starters to help:

• How often do you travel by bus and where to?
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
• Do you prefer cats or dogs?
• Savoury or sweet treats?
• What’s your favourite TV show/movie?
• What’s the funniest thing that happened to you this year?
• How was your week?
• What’s your favourite song?
• What colour socks are you wearing?
• What type of music do you like?
• Do you have any pets? If so, tell me about them. If not, tell me why not.

Use the hashtag #ChattyBusOxford and let us know about your interesting conversations on the bus!

Prefer not to chat?

During our Chatty Bus event, we will respect that some of our customers won’t wish to chat whilst travelling on the city46, and that’s absolutely fine. Our Chatty Bus Champions will respect your preferences.

* Chatty Bus Discount T&Cs:

• The Chatty Bus discount offer is valid for a single customer to receive a 50% off a return journey.
• To redeem the offer, please ask the driver for a ‘Chatty Bus Discount’ when entering the Chatty Bus event vehicle. Our Chatty Bus Champions will be there to assist you and the driver if you have any questions.
• The offer may not be used in conjunction with or in addition to any other discount voucher, prize, offer, promotion or concession rate.
• This offer is strictly subject to the Oxford Bus Company terms of use and conditions of carriage.
• Oxford Bus Company reserve the right to amend, terminate or suspend the Offer at any time.