More people taking the bus since Oxford temporary congestion charge

Data from bus companies shows more people are using local bus services since Oxfordshire County Council introduced a temporary congestion charge in Oxford.  

The data from Go Ahead, which owns six local bus companies including Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, shows overall year-on-year passenger numbers are approximately 8 per cent up since the introduction of the congestion charge. A third of this increase is on park and ride services with the remaining two-thirds on non park and ride services, with significant growth on routes serving the city from other areas like Didcot, Abingdon and Wallingford.  

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. 

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “It’s wonderful to see this increase in bus use, which is in large part due to our temporary congestion charge in the city, making it possible for bus operators to improve and extend services. 

“The congestion charge is part of how the council is improving transport choice and connections among our local communities, enabling more people to choose bus for their journeys. With our offer of free park and ride travel, and new and improved bus services around the city, buses are becoming a great choice for more people. The more people use bus services, the more we all benefit; from less traffic, faster journeys and cleaner air.  

“We’re continuing to watch the impacts of the temporary congestion charge carefully as residents, visitors and businesses adjust to it.”  

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said: "It's been very encouraging to see the increased numbers of people using buses since the county council's temporary congestion charge came in at the end of October. 

“The reductions in congestion that have been delivered by the congestion charge scheme, and the free park and ride travel promotion that it funds, have helped buses run more quickly in the city, meaning we can offer customers faster journeys and also use buses that were previously stuck in congestion to provide extra services for the community. 

“With these extra services and faster journeys helping to attract more passengers, we can have more confidence moving forwards to invest more in the network to help grow passenger numbers further." 

Monitoring data for the scheme is now published for November, December and January, 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. 

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ENDS 

Notes to editors 

Bus patronage data is provided by bus operators. 

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.