Free park and ride bus journeys in Oxford will now continue until the end of March 2026, Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed, following a surge in passenger numbers since the scheme was introduced last autumn.
The offer, which allows free bus travel from park and ride sites with a valid parking ticket, was launched on 29 October as a short-term measure to support the council’s temporary congestion charge. The charge is currently in place while Botley Road remains closed, delaying the start of Oxford’s planned traffic filter trial.
Since its introduction, the scheme has seen a significant increase in park and ride use and is being funded through income generated by the temporary congestion charge. Council leaders say the extension reflects both its popularity and its wider benefits for congestion, air quality and public transport reliability.
Read more: County council approves congestion charge for Oxford motorists
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said more than 179,000 additional park and ride journeys were recorded in the first two months of the offer compared with the same period last year.
“The free park and ride bus journey offer is proving extremely popular, with park and ride operators reporting over 179,000 more journeys in the first two months of the offer than the same period last year.” he said.
“I’m pleased that so many people are benefitting not just from our offer of free bus journeys but also faster park and ride services since the congestion charge was introduced. The fantastic take-up is contributing to cleaner air, reduced traffic, and safer streets.
“With bus companies now providing further service improvements, people have more choice and convenience when it comes to bus travel and accessing the city, including major hospital sites.”
Bus operators have also welcomed the extension. Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said use of Redbridge Park and Ride alone had increased by 63 per cent.
“We’re delighted that the popular free park and ride scheme made possible by the temporary congestion charge will be continuing for a further two months.” he said.
“More people choosing to use park and ride services contributes to reducing traffic on Oxford’s roads, leading to faster journey times for bus passengers.
“What’s more, ridership on local buses is also showing encouraging growth, following the introduction of the council’s congestion charge scheme, and our corresponding service improvements.
“Now that we have data on the real-world traffic conditions being seen under the congestion charge, we’ll be making some further changes to our timetables to improve reliability from 22 February, and details of these will be announced soon.”
Stagecoach West has reported similar growth. Managing Director Chris Hanson said park and ride journeys on Stagecoach services had risen by 53 per cent since the scheme began.
“Park and ride is a fantastic way to travel into Oxford and, alongside the temporary congestion charge, is helping to take traffic off our historic streets,” he said. “We have also introduced new cross-city links from Oxford Parkway and Redbridge, creating new connections for our communities.”
Under the scheme, up to two adults and three children can travel free to and from Oxford’s park and ride sites with a valid parking ticket. The offer applies on any Stagecoach, Oxford Bus Company or Thames Travel service that stops at a park and ride location, not just dedicated park and ride routes.
The council says the extension will give residents and visitors continued access to cheaper, faster and more sustainable travel into the city while longer-term traffic management measures remain on hold.
