Oxford Bus Company celebrates commitment to inclusion and community engagement

Oxford Bus Company underpinned its commitment to inclusion and community engagement by supporting Thame Pride with its much-loved rainbow branded bus on display.

The popular branded bus, a visible symbol of the company’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment for customers, colleagues and communities, which has been used for other Pride events across Oxfordshire, proved to be a focal point for visitors. People stopped for photos with the bus throughout the day.

A team from Oxford Bus Company was also present on a promotional stand on the High Street and shared branded merchandise and timetable information. The team was well-received by the public, with plenty of supportive feedback shared by attendees.

Support for inclusion was demonstrated as Oxford Bus Company provided complimentary advertising for Thame Pride via the bus network and social media channels.

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “We were pleased to support Thame Pride, as a Gold sponsor, showcasing our support for inclusion in our communities.

“Showing our support for Thame Pride highlighted our vision as a business. Diversity, equality and inclusivity are core values we hold across the company throughout the year.

“Engaging with the community is a key pillar of our business too, and we were on hand to answer various questions about our services and timetables.

“The electric rainbow-emblazoned bus has become a beloved part of Pride events in Oxfordshire, and it was fantastic to see it back in Thame.”

Last year marked the inaugural Thame Pride, celebrating and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. This year’s Thame Pride saw a variety of acts across four stages, while there was an open mic event at the Rising Sun pub between 1pm and 8pm, plus a Pride history trail, craft workshops, art exhibition, and various stalls.

In June, Oxford Bus Company supported Oxford Pride as the rainbow-emblazoned bus made its third consecutive appearance at the event. Oxford Bus Company is a long-term supporter of Oxford Pride, with thousands of people coming together each year for the event.

Pride events across Oxfordshire are vital for collective action, highlighting inequalities, and celebrating achievements. They strive to break down barriers, cultivate respect, and build a strong, visible community where everyone feels a sense of belonging.