Oxfordshire residents encouraged to take the bus this month

The Oxford Bus Group is taking part in the Bus Users UK Catch The Bus Month campaign and this year it celebrates buses and accessible travel.

It is focused on highlighting the accessibility of buses, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to lead active and fulfilling lives.

It comes after new research by Bus Users UK on the experiences of disabled bus passengers revealed the impact accessible transport can have on lives and the difference even simple improvements can make.

Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Pulhams, and Carousel Buses are taking part in the initiative via a social media campaign highlighting the wider benefits of bus travel, including environmental and economic, to help promote it to non-bus users.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Group's managing director, said: "Bus travel provides vital accessibility, enabling people to get out and about for work and leisure in a safe, sustainable and cost-effective way.

"We’re actively taking part in the campaign to help raise awareness of the benefits of bus services and would encourage people to use it as an opportunity to see what buses have to offer.

"And to celebrate Catch the Bus Month, we've just introduced several enhancements to our network at each of Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Carousel Buses, and Pulhams."

Bus users still currently benefit from the government bus fare-cap scheme, meaning a single adult fare on a single bus journey is £2.

Oxford Bus Group staff will be at Bonn Square in Oxford on September 30 for an engagement event to talk about bus services.

Oxford Bus Company’s city services operate using electric vehicles, meaning 80 per cent of its bus fleet is now zero-emission.

Taking a bus instead of a car can help people cut travel carbon emissions by 38 per cent per passenger kilometre and by 80 per cent if a bus is carrying 40 passengers.

Claire Walters, Bus Users UK chief executive and disability and access ambassador for buses, said: "This year’s Catch the Bus Month isn’t just about getting more people on board, it’s about getting everyone on board because at some point in our lives, most of us will need accessible transport, whether that’s through age, illness, disability or simply having too much to carry.

"Buses open the door to life’s opportunities and when everyone is able to contribute fully to society, we all benefit."

Buses also help reduce congestion and are responsible for 1.4 billion shopping trips a year in the UK, contributing £21 billion to the economy.

Research shows 77 per cent of jobseekers do not have access to a car and buses provide accessibility for people to return to work.