A £2 million investment in new buses has accompanied a series of changes to bus services across Bicester and North Oxfordshire, including the return of a regular daytime service to Chesterton.
Go Thames Valley, the group behind Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Pulhams and Carousel Buses, has introduced six new double-deckers and one single-decker following contract wins in the area.
The new vehicles, purchased from UK manufacturer Alexander Dennis, are being given bespoke Bicester branding and will include Wi-Fi, USB charging and tap-on, tap-off payment.
The service changes came into effect on Sunday 20 September.
The existing 21 service has transferred from Oxford Bus Company to Thames Travel and now has additional daytime journeys. On weekdays, its first journey will start from Bowmont Square rather than Chesterton.
A new 25 route will instead provide a regular daytime bus service to Chesterton, which Go Thames Valley said had not had such a service for many years.
The revised 25 and 25A services have been developed in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council and bring together Thames Travel’s existing 25 service with Stagecoach routes H5 and 29.
The 25 will run hourly between Upper Heyford and the John Radcliffe Hospital, serving Heyford Park, Chesterton, Bicester and Ambrosden.
Late evening journeys will also run between Bicester, Heyford Park and Upper Heyford, with the final departure from Bicester Village Station at 11.00pm.
Together, the 25 and 25A routes will provide up to two buses an hour between Upper Heyford, Bicester and Ambrosden. Sunday services between Upper Heyford, Bicester and Upper Arncott will continue to be operated by Stagecoach.
The changes also restore a bus connection between Heyford Park and Oxford via the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Luke Marion, managing director of Go Thames Valley, said the changes would provide new links for passengers in the Bicester area and improve connectivity across Oxfordshire.
He highlighted the return of a regular daytime service to Chesterton, describing it as an important transport link for the village.
Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport, said the changes were intended to encourage more people in the north of the county to use buses.
He highlighted the restored Chesterton service and the bus link between Heyford Park and Oxford, as well as the council’s continued support for Bicester Bee services serving surrounding villages.
Road closures in Islip and Heyford Park over the coming months may affect journeys on the new 25 and 25A services.
Passengers are being advised to check service updates before travelling, with diversions and other changes published by Oxford Bus Company.
