Oxford bus services change following congestion charges
Services are designed to improve connectivity around the city, but Oxon 4 buses argue a new bus station is also required.
Oxford bus company has introduced bus route and service changes around Oxford city, aiming to provide more frequent and faster services.
The changes apply from 9th November and are in response to the new temporary congestion charge.
Overall, the changes work towards faster journeys at peak times of the day, extended operating hours into the night or evening, and better links to key employment areas and hospitals in East Oxford.
Service 5, 5A, 8, 15 and 300 have become more frequent, and these services along with X3, 11, 400, 500, H2 and ST2 will be faster during peak times.
Services 3 and 3A have extended beyond Westgate shopping centre to the rail station, restoring direct links to Littlemore, Rose Hill and Iffley Road.
A new service, 20, will be operating to every 40 minutes on week days between Rose Hill, Iffley Road, Morrell Avenue, Brookes University, JR Hospital and Marston Road.
The U5 service will be replaced by the 100’s revised route which runs between Oxford city centre, Cowley Road, Hollow way, Wood Farm, Roosevelt Drive and Brookes University to JR hospital.
But campaigners from Oxon 4 buses believe more can be done to improve both connectivity around Oxford and reduce congestion. They are calling for Network Rail to include a bus station in their plans to redesign Oxford rail station.
In the £1.9 million contract to redesign the station, a multi-storey car park, cycle hub, office and hotel were all suggested, but a bus station wasn’t mentioned.
Oxon 4 buses argue that “better public transport, and seamless connection between different forms of transport, will be key to reducing congestion in and around Oxford.
“A combined bus/rail interchange would bring more people to the station area, increasing the value and development opportunities of everything around that site, whether part of Network Rails development or others nearby, and increasing the potential number of rail passengers – a win-win.”