Working together, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach have made the changes to encourage more people to choose the park and ride and help reduce traffic congestion in the city.

A new combined parking and bus ticket is now in place at all park and ride sites. 

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These are: Oxford Parkway, Pear Tree, Redbridge, Seacourt, and Thornhill.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company interim managing director, said: “Thanks to key stakeholders working together we have jointly created an excellent special offer for an extended period designed to encourage people to return to, or try out, the park and ride service.

“We appreciate times are challenging and the reduced prices represent tremendous value for people to park and travel in and out of Oxford."

As part of the offer, passengers can now buy a combined ticket at a reduced price which covers both parking and return bus travel at a rate of £4 for a car with only one adult and £5 for a car and two adults. With both options, up to three children under 16 can travel for free.

The combined ticket at a reduced-price offer is part of a six-month trial, which is taking place until 31 March 2023, and is subject to review by both councils and the bus operators. However, the combined parking and bus ticket approach is a permanent change.

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The trial offers a saving of £1 per person (20%) for an individual ticket, and £1.80 per two people travelling together (26%). Previously, other than a combined £6.80 family ticket, drivers had to pay separately for both parking and bus travel. The new combined ticket also provides a lower cost alternative to the existing £6.80 family ticket. 

Drivers are encouraged to purchase a combined ticket through the RingGo parking app, or at one of the onsite ticket machines.

The trial does not impact the prices of annual, quarterly, or 28-day permit holders, and free parking remains for blue badge holders.

In addition, a permanent change has been made to the parking periods at all park and ride sites around Oxford, so that customers needing to park for longer, such as those working longer shifts, pay less.

The changes, which came into effect on September 30 mean the £2 tariff will now cover 1-16 hours, extended from 1-11 hours and the £4 tariff will now cover 16-24 hours, extended from 11-24 hours.

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The change follows discussions with major employers, including city centre retailers, which identified that the 11-hour time charge created a ‘cliff-edge’ for shift workers.

The park and ride deal was agreed by cabinets at Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council.

Park and ride passenger numbers have not fully recovered post pandemic, following changes in passenger habits.

Rachel Geliamassi, managing director at Stagecoach West, said: “We’re really pleased to be introducing this park and ride ticket offer to Oxford."

Councillor Louise Upton, cabinet member for health and transport at Oxford City Council, said: “More people on the buses will reduce car use and cut congestion and pollution.”

Andrew Gant, cabinet member for highways management at the county council, said "I am delighted that hard work by county officers, working alongside the bus companies, has secured substantial investment in bus services and enabled us to deliver this scheme and others including the £1 flat fare for under-19s within Oxford and support for rural services. The County Council is committed to helping public transport recover from the pandemic and provide real choice for our residents. This is proof of that commitment"."

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF