Thames Travel has announced significant improvements to its X32 bus service, which links Didcot with the John Radcliffe Hospital via Oxford city centre.
The changes, introduced in partnership with Milton Park and Oxfordshire County Council, mean weekday services will now run every 20 minutes between 7.40am and 6.00pm, improving on the previous half-hourly frequency.
The enhancements are designed to make journeys easier for NHS staff, commuters, and the wider Didcot community while also supporting workers based at Milton Park.
Additional funding from Milton Park and Oxfordshire County Council has made the improvements possible, boosting access to the expanding employment hub and strengthening public transport connections across Oxfordshire.
The investment takes Milton Park’s branded bus fleet to 16 vehicles, increasing capacity at a time when passenger numbers are already rising, particularly during peak hours.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Thames Travel, said:
“We’re really pleased to extend our existing partnership with Milton Park and Oxfordshire County Council to deliver these significant service improvements.
“The X32 has been a real success story for us, with the service progressively increasing in frequency over recent years and also extending to provide improved links to south Didcot.
“The enhanced frequency of services connecting Didcot and Milton Park to Oxford city centre and the John Radcliffe will be of enormous benefit to key workers, businesses and staff at Milton Park, plus visitors and the wider public.”
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, added:
“These changes will make it even more attractive for people to swap their cars for the bus, whether travelling for work, pleasure, or to visit the hospital.”
Since partnering with Thames Travel in 2021, Milton Park has seen an 18 per cent increase in bus usage among employees. A key factor has been the introduction of its £20 annual employee bus pass, which offers unlimited travel across the Didcot Zone, including Didcot Parkway railway station, the Orchard Centre, and surrounding villages.
Veronica Reynolds, Sustainability and Community Manager at Milton Park, said:
“Having a bus linking Milton Park with Oxford three times an hour will be a huge benefit to our occupiers and visitors. The increased frequency will give more people the confidence to choose the bus and help reduce the number of cars on the road.”
The new X32 timetable is available Oxford Bus website.
