Championing the needs of bus users in Oxfordshire
***Have your say – consultation on bus services coming 13 October***
Oxfordshire County Council will be issuing a 4-week consultation on bus services across Oxford and Oxfordshire, called OxBus2040, on 13 October. This will propose how bus services in Oxfordshire should develop over the next 14 years, for example how they should integrate with the wider transport network including rail and active travel routes, and issues around rural connectivity.
Oxon4Buses (with the support of Oxfordshire County Council) has written to transport representatives of all Oxfordshire parish councils in Oxfordshire, to encourage communities to respond to the consultation when it comes out, especially if they feel that bus services in their area could be improved.
To help inform discussions and feed into Oxon4Buses research and understanding of the issues, Oxon4Buses included with the letter to parish councils a list of all parishes in Oxfordshire and combined this with information about bus frequency, as well as a questionnaire.
You can read the letter and access the attachments here.
The case for a public transport hub at Oxford rail station
In this short film, Oxford residents representing those who walk, cycle and use the bus in and around Oxford make the case for a world-class public transport interchange at Oxford rail station:
Sign the petition!
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — sign the petition to make it happen:
And please share widely!
Why have we launched this petition? To call on Network Rail to provide a proper bus hub, and public transport interchange, at Oxford Rail Station, in line with Oxford City Council’s vision for the new Oxford train station area and Oxford Station Masterplan. The petition is in response to the absence of any mention of provision for buses (eg bus stops/ bus station/ interchange) from Network Rail’s recent tender for development of the train station site. Network Rail’s tender requires ‘station entrances, public realm, multi-storey car park, cycle hub, offices, life sciences, hotel and residential elements’ – but it omits provision for buses.
The omission of access and parking for buses conflicts with Oxford City Council’s Oxford Station Master Plan documents. These refer in various forms to a comprehensive transport interchange including proper bus parking eg a ‘new interchange for walking, cycling and bus’.
The petition aims to give voice to public concern about proper provision for buses and a joined-up public transport system in Oxford. The lack of any plans for buses requires urgent attention – this petition calls on Network Rail, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and relevant stakeholders to act now to reverse this omission.
You can find more information in our FAQs – click here.
What is Oxon4Buses?
Oxon4Buses (O4B) is an informal association of users of bus services in Oxfordshire, convened by Low Carbon Oxford North. We aim to represent a wide range of views from people who do or might use buses. Our main aim is to increase bus usage throughout the County.
Oxon4Buses represents the views and needs of bus users in discussions with Oxfordshire County Council, bus companies and other decision-makers; carries out research to develop evidence to support the needs of bus users; and publishes useful news and resources for bus users. Find out more by clicking on the links below:
- Click here to find out more about our work with the county council and bus companies
- Click here to access our research and reports on Delivering Better Bus Services for Oxfordshire and Park & Ride sites
- Click here to access news and useful resources
Need help planning your bus journey? Check out new website Oxford Travel Options
LCON has launched the website Oxford Travel Options, bringing together information, advice and inspiration about buses, bikes, walking, Park and Rides, lift sharing and scooting – all in one place. It has lots of clear information to help bus users, covering everything from different bus tickets to wheelchair bus access, from online journey planners to tips on bus travel with children. It also has a host of real stories from local people, with case studies and advice on taking the bus into and across Oxford.
Oxford Travel Options was developed by Low Carbon Oxford North in collaboration with Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership, a group of leading Oxfordshire institutions and employers, and with support from Low Carbon Hub and the Foundation for Integrated Transport.
Tell us your views
O4B would be delighted to hear from you about the major policy issues you believe are important, and that we should be focusing on, in order to improve the experience of bus users. We are particularly keen to hear about proposals that would encourage those who are currently car-dependent to try their local bus.
Please contact us at: info@oxon4buses.org.uk We look forward to hearing from you.
