Oxford Bus Company increases bus fares for first time in two years

Bus fares in Oxford, and the wider county, are set to increase at the end of the month.

Fares on many Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Stagecoach and Arriva services are due to increase from February 27.

This is the first time Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel have increased prices for more than two years and is due to an increase in operating costs due to the pandemic and inflation.

This news comes as Oxford Bus Company warned it may have to reduce services by 30 per cent if Government funding is not secured. You can read more about this here>>>

The SmartZone bus companies, comprising of Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach, Thames Travel and Arriva, also confirmed the fares for 1, 4, 13 and 52-week tickets will increase from the same date.

Oxford Bus Company has also announced it will also be introducing a new daily cap of £4.00 per day for customers using its "Freeflow" tap-on, tap-off contactless payment system within Oxford CityZone.

Phil Southall, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel said: “We understand this is difficult news for passengers, but we hope people appreciate the bus industry is continuing to navigate a challenging climate and this was a last resort.

“While we have, like all bus operators, received some very welcome Covid-19 recovery funding from government, it has not been enough to cover our running costs and the financial support is expected to come to an end soon.

“Combined with this we have experienced increased operating costs due to inflation and wider market conditions.

“So, we have had to make the difficult decision to increase some of our fares for the first time in over two years. That said when looking at bus fares and alternative travel costs across the UK our fares do remain competitive and excellent value for money.

“We hope the new "Freeflow cap" will be popular with customers and help encourage use of this system, which helps us to improve boarding times and speed up journeys.”

In a joint statement, the Oxford SmartZone operators, said: “On average the new ticket prices will add 43p to the cost of weekly bus travel. However, we understand this is still difficult news for passengers.

“The bus industry is experiencing significant challenges and rising costs, including fuel, wages and inflation and this was factored into the fares review.

“We remain committed to providing a great service and this is the first time Smartzone fares have increased for more than two years.

“The fares remain excellent value for money and the modest increase will help towards the day to day running of the services and continued investment in improvements.”

On average the new fares will add 43p to weekly travel for Smartzone ticket users.

The changes include a 50p increase for an adult 1-week pass, a £2 increase for 4-week pass, a £6 increase for a 13-week pass and a £1 increase for a 12 trip or 5-day pass.

An annual season ticket will increase by £22.50, which continues to represent a significant saving compared to individual tickets.

An U18 1-week pass will increase by 25p, £1.50 for a 4-week, £4.50 for a 13-week pass and £22.50 for an annual pass.

How much will your route now cost? Here are the new prices:

Oxford Mail: The new bus fares in Oxford. Picture Oxford Bus Company website The new bus fares in Oxford. Picture Oxford Bus Company website