Travel groups sign joint letter supporting proposed Oxford congestion charge

Oxford’s key travel groups have joined forces to issue a joint appeal to Oxfordshire County Council to introduce congestion charging to “unblock our city”. 

 Senior figures from bus companies, taxi operators and active travel groups have signed a joint letter in support of the city’s proposed temporary congestion charge.

 The letter calls for a ‘multimodal’ future for the city and for more efficient use of road space for people to share, to help reduce congestion

 Signed by Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach West, City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association and the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel, Oxfordshire Liveable Streets, Oxford Pedestrians Association, Co Wheels and Velocity Cycle Couriers. The letter will be submitted to Oxford County Council as part of its public consultation. 

 Part of the letter stated: “The charge will free the streets so that buses can run more reliably, including the new fleet of electric buses.  

“It will allow us to get the benefit of recent enhancements to bus routes and allow the bus companies to free up resources to deliver further improvements. The roads will be clearer for vital users like taxis, disabled people, carers, trades and freight. 

“Less traffic makes it safer for people walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling. And the proceeds from the charge should be invested in better bus services and improving the links between public transport and these other modes.

“We don’t want to stay stuck in a jam. We want to move forwards together. We ask you to approve the plan to support our multimodal future, and give people the more reliable, flexible transport solution they need.”

Various bus service improvements were added anticipating traffic filters, which would only continue if congestion were reduced. These include the new Stagecoach 600 service which connects Thornhill with the hospitals, key business parks and Redbridge. Plus, Oxford Bus Company’s new 500 service between BMW, Oxford Business Park, Cowley and Oxford, and its enhanced 3A service between Oxford Science Park and Oxford. 

The organisations gathered at Stagecoach West’s Oxford depot today (Friday) to sign the letter and reinforce the unified message that urgent action is required to tackle congestion. 

Luke Marion, of Oxford Bus Company, said: “All of the city’s key travel groups are unified in our position that the proposals are vital to help tackle the city’s congestion emergency. 

“We need urgent measures to help buses and other modes of transport to run more reliably for the benefit of everyone. All money raised from the scheme would be ringfenced and reinvested in improving public transport, and as bus operators we have committed to reinvest any resources saved from the scheme into service improvements.”

Chris Hanson, Managing Director for Stagecoach West said: “We welcome the opportunity to unify our message with those of other transport modes and companies. Congestion in Oxford is at an all-time high and some of our services are almost 20% slower today than in 2022. Only bold measures, such as the proposed temporary congestion charge, will provide opportunities to speed up buses and other public transport and active travel modes.” 

Robin Tucker, Co-Chair of CoHSAT, said: “After more than a decade of intense congestion, we need to unblock Oxford and free up the streets for transport that works for everyone. 

“The alternatives are in place, but the change will only happen when we nudge people away from space-hungry cars towards more efficient modes, which is why we support the temporary congestion charge. The big benefit will be easier journeys, and using a mix of transport can save you money, reduce road casualties, and is better for your health too.”