Yesterday Oxon4Buses presented a petition signed by more than 1200 residents to Oxfordshire County Council, calling for Network Rail to provide a proper bus hub at Oxford rail station – to applause from the chamber.

Brenda Boardman, Chair of Oxon4Buses and trustee of Low Carbon Oxford North, set out the issues in her address to the council, in particular:

• Network Rail’s recent tender for the design of the station area specified it should include a hotel, residential, bikes, life sciences and a multi-storey car park – but did not mention buses.
• The station redevelopment provides a unique opportunity to rationalise the City’s bus provision and create a true transport interchange.

The County Council were asked to join in working to ensure that the growth of rail transport in Oxford is combined with excellent facilities for bus passengers – “a bus hub that is physically and visually linked to the rail station, providing people with a route to get from the train to the bus in the dry”.

The petition has done a fantastic job so far in placing this issue firmly on the agenda. Oxon4Buses will continue to engage with relevant partners and decision-makers to seek a “public transport interchange that allows seamless transfer between rail, bus, cycling and walking”.  Please sign the petition to show your support and build a powerful public mandate for a bus hub:

Oxon4Buses is an informal association championing the interests of bus users in Oxfordshire convened by Low Carbon Oxford North. Find out more here.