New rainbow bus shows pride in Oxfordshire's diversity

6 months ago Fri 7th Jun 2024

Oxford Pride Bus

Oxford Bus Company has unveiled a brightly coloured new addition to its fleet with a rainbow bus celebrating Oxford Pride.

It is the first vehicle in the new electric fleet to be branded with a community-based livery.

The bus was launched to coincide with Oxford Pride 2024 to help the organisation celebrate and raise awareness of diversity, equality and inclusion in the city. Oxford Bus Company was one of the founding local businesses to support Oxford Pride in 2018, and the partnership has gone from strength to strength.

Oxford Pride 2024 takes place on 8th June with a parade through the city, which is led by the LGBTQIA+ community and open to everyone. The branded vehicle will take pride of place leading the parade in addition to going into regular service on city bus routes. 

In addition to branding the exterior of the double-decker, Oxford Bus Company has added artwork inside the bus displaying the history of the LGBTQIA+ community in the city. The company has further backed Oxford Pride by also continuing to be a partner of the parade by sponsoring the stewards’ hi-vis jackets.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company managing director, said: “The bus looks fantastic, and we are proud to once again back Oxford Pride this year.

“One of our core values is embracing diversity, and it is an important belief system that guides our business and inspires us to support organisations like Oxford Pride. It has been great to have supported Oxford Pride for some time and to see it develop and support our community.”

Oxford Bus Company has been synonymous with supporting good causes by branding its vehicles as part of its community values. Its annual Brand the Bus! competition has backed numerous charities and good causes via branded vehicles and on-board advertising. The first electric bus to be branded as part of Brand the Bus! competition will be Oxford Hospitals Charity which won the 2024 round.