Oxford Bus Company will commemorate the X90 and its long running service with free vintage bus rides on Saturday.

The X90 bus dates to the early 1920s and the current express service has operated for more than 40 years, taking millions from Oxford to London.

However, the bus will run for the last time this Saturday and to mark the occasion Oxford Bus Company will provide special free vintage coach rides between Gloucester Green and Thornhill Park & Ride.

Read also: Robber wearing threatens Co-op staff with large metal pole

Passengers will be able to take their free vintage coach ride on a Bristol VR double decker that was used by the X90 service in the 1980s and on a single decker bus from the 1960s.

The vintage rides on the preserved coaches, owned by former Oxford Bus Company employee Jonathan Radley and his fellow bus enthusiast Dave Clements, will take place between 10.30am and 3.30pm on Saturday.

Mr Radley said: "The final day of operation of the X90 express will be a sad occasion for many people who have worked on the coaches over the decades and for its many loyal passengers.

Oxford Mail:

"However, on Saturday we shall celebrate the long history of this service by giving people the opportunity to sample travel from a bygone era onboard coaches that ran the route during the 1960s and 1970s."

As well as the free vintage coach ride, the bus company has also produced a commemorative booklet which will be sold on Saturday.

The booklet tells the history of the coach route between Oxford and London and will be available at a stand at the Oxford Bus Company shop in Gloucester Green between 10am and 3pm.

The stand will also be staffed for anyone who may have questions about the X90 service.

Read also: Attacks against John Radcliffe A&E staff at four-year high

Oxford Bus Company managing director Phil Southall said: “We are grateful to everyone who has travelled with the X90 and our colleagues who have worked with us throughout this time.”

“We are aware the difficult decision to withdraw the service has inconvenienced loyal customers and we are doing all we can to minimise any impact. We are proud of the route’s long history and will be honouring it via special free heritage rides and a fantastic commemorative booklet.”

The X90 was withdrawn after 40 years due to falling passenger numbers, competition with trains and worsening congestion which eventually made maintaining the service challenging.

Since 2015 passenger numbers have dropped 35 per cent and special measures such as a timetable change and lower fares did not save the bus route.

Read also: Dog from Bicester wins Kennel Club Olympia Agility Stakes for third time

All X90 drivers will be redeployed to other roles within the business.

On Saturday the X90 will operate an hourly service and a commemorative banner will be placed on the coach taking the last journey. Oxford Bus Company said it would like to thank everyone who has travelled on the X90 and all staff who had worked on the service.

Season tickets and 12-trip passes will continue to be valid up until the service stops at the end of the day on Saturday.