Extension of free bus travel via Park & Ride supported by Oxford Bus Company

Oxford Bus Company has heralded the extension of free Park & Ride bus travel in the city as “great news for passengers”.

The initiative which started in October on a trial basis has again been extended, this time to until at least the end of May. 

It forms part of a series of major improvements introduced in conjunction with Oxfordshire County Council’s temporary congestion charge.

It is having a positive impact, with year-on-year bus patronage approximately eight per cent up across the Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel network.

A third of this increase is on Park & Ride services, while there has been significant growth on routes serving Oxford from across the county, including Abingdon, Didcot and Wallingford.

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, said: “This is great news for bus passengers across Oxfordshire. 

“It continues to make bus travel accessible, sustainable and reliable. The reduction in congestion has sped up bus journey times and enabled us to reinvest these savings into improving other services in our network. 

“This has meant more services on the 5A, 100 and 700, the introduction of new service 20, faster journeys in south Oxfordshire and additional links for Rose Hill, Littlemore and the Iffley Road.  

“Free travel on Park & Ride services is working and we would like to see it confirmed for the duration of the temporary congestion charge to provide clarity for everyone, particularly for city centre business ahead of the key summer season.

“We look forward to the upcoming council cabinet meeting, when we expect a decision will be made on what happens beyond the end of May for both free Park & Ride travel and further travel benefits funded via the congestion charge.”

To claim a free return ticket on the Park & Ride network, customers with a valid parking ticket for any of the five sites located around the ring road must show their parking ticket to their bus driver. Up to two adults and three children are then able to claim free travel.

The tickets are valid on any Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel or Stagecoach bus that stops at a Park & Ride site in Oxford, not just named Park & Ride services.

Oxford Park & Ride sites are located at Redbridge, Seacourt, Thornhill, Pear Tree and Oxford Parkway. Parking is just £2.50 for up to 16 hours.