Faster bus services on key routes with Oxford temporary congestion charge

February’s monitoring data for Oxford’s temporary congestion charge, published today by Oxfordshire County Council, indicates continued faster journeys by bus, increased park and ride use, and improvement to city centre traffic, with some outer roads showing more traffic. 

The county council’s temporary congestion charge is at points on six roads in Oxford and was introduced on 29 October. It is designed to reduce traffic in the city while Botley Road remains closed, and the start of the council’s traffic filter trial is delayed. 

The published data includes car and bus journey times, and park and ride usage. The data shows that bus journeys on Abingdon Road and Iffley Road in particular are faster than those at the same time last year. Data is presented alongside figures for the same month in the previous year for comparison and is published each month. This is the fourth month of data published for the temporary scheme. 

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “I’m pleased that so many people are benefitting from better journeys in the city with the congestion charge. It’s not only those choosing to use our offer of free park and ride bus travel who benefit, as the reduced traffic on key routes has allowed bus companies to improve bus services across the city and those travelling in other ways also enjoy less traffic. Entries to park and ride sites have increased year on year, and there is still plenty of capacity.  

“It’s still too early for us to draw firm conclusions and we will continue to watch the impacts of the temporary congestion charge carefully as residents, visitors and businesses adjust to it.” 

Monitoring data is now published for November through to February, with some data sets not yet available. Travel patterns and external factors will continue to change. The data that is being collected will build a picture over time of how the scheme is working and highlight any issues the council may need to address. 

Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

About the temporary congestion charge  

A charge of £5 per day is payable to drive a car without a permit through the six congestion charge locations. Cars with permits and all other vehicles can go through the temporary congestion charge locations for free.  

There are permit types available that allow free travel through the congestion charge points. Permit applications covering different circumstances can be made from the county council website, including for residents, traders, carers and blue badge holders. To find out about different permits and exemptions, visit the congestion charge website.  

Those driving in a car without a permit can pay the congestion charge online by midnight on the day after driving through one of the six charge locations – no account is needed. There is also an option to pay by phone. 

Locations and operating times:

• Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way - Monday to Saturday - At peak times between 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm  
• Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement’s Street and Thames Street - Monday to Sunday - 7am to 7pm

The scheme will remain in place until the traffic filters trial is introduced, once Botley Road reopens, expected to be August 2026.