Oxfordshire County Council working to retain Oxford bus services

Following Oxford Bus Company’s announcement of the withdrawal of bus services to the Northway and Risinghurst areas of the city, Oxfordshire County Council has launched a tender process for replacement services.

Changes to the city’s bus network are being made from 8 January 2023 to stabilise services and provide greater reliability in the face of congestion, driver shortages and the closure of the Botley Road bridge by Network Rail. There are some reductions to frequency of services, but many routes are protected through reinvestment of resources and increasing running times to make sure passengers can have greater confidence in the network.

As part of these changes by the bus company, services city9 to Risinghurst and city13 to Northway will no longer operate. Recognising that this will adversely affect many local residents, the council has acted quickly to undertake a tender process for replacement services to these areas and will announce further details as soon as possible.

Earlier in the year, the council set aside up to £2.5 million over the next two years to protect previously commercial services at risk of withdrawal as a result of lower passenger numbers and spiralling bus industry costs.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “Any reduction in bus services is extremely regrettable, but we are working to keep services running to the most affected areas as they are vital for their communities. The last few years have presented our bus companies with some unprecedented challenges, but we will continue to work closely with them to find solutions.”

Further details of the changes which have been announced are available at www.oxfordbus.co.uk/news. Further information on detailed changes for Northway, Risinghurst and services in west Oxford affected by the Botley Road bridge closure will be announced as soon as possible.

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