From Wednesday 29 October, travellers heading into Oxford can enjoy free bus travel on the city’s Park & Ride services as part of a new three-month trial designed to cut congestion and improve air quality.
Motorists can now park for up to 16 hours for £2.50 and ride for free from any of the five Park & Ride sites – Seacourt, Redbridge, Thornhill, Pear Tree, and Oxford Parkway.
The offer covers journeys into Oxford city centre and key destinations such as the John Radcliffe Hospital and Oxford Brookes University.
Passengers simply need to show a valid parking ticket when boarding Park & Ride buses operated by Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, or Stagecoach. Each £2.50 parking ticket allows two adults and up to three children to travel free of charge.
The initiative is part of a wider package of improvements to Oxford’s public transport network, launched alongside a temporary £5.00 congestion charge aimed at reducing city centre traffic and encouraging sustainable travel.
Read more: County council approves congestion charge for Oxford motorists
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said:
“This is fantastic news for bus passengers and our network. Oxford has struggled with congestion for a long time, and making bus travel more attractive is key to improving the situation. The Park & Ride is the most affordable, accessible and sustainable way to travel in and out of the city.”
As part of the improvements, the 700 service will now operate every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends, while the Redbridge Park & Ride 300 route will gain new stops at Lake Street on Abingdon Road in response to community feedback.
The trial, introduced through the Oxfordshire Bus Enhanced Partnership between the County Council and local bus operators, aims to make public transport more efficient.
The Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel estimate the congestion-reduction measures will allow them to redeploy nine vehicles to strengthen routes most affected by traffic.
Free Park & Ride travel is available until January 2026, with hopes that the scheme could be extended if successful.
