A new Oxfordshire bus ticket offers unlimited travel on most local services – and it is in operation now.
The MyBus Oxfordshire ticket allows passengers to travel around the county daily or weekly, covering close to all routes and operators, for a fixed price.
A ticket costing £6.50 a day and £25 a week for adults or £3.50 a day or £14.50 a week for under-19s, provides individuals with limitless access to over 150 bus services run by 12 operators in Oxfordshire.
This offer has been the work of the Oxfordshire Bus Enhanced Partnership, a collaboration between Oxfordshire County Council and the county’s bus companies.
The partnership seeks to promote the use of bus services through Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding provided by the government.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport management, said: “Whether you want to explore the county or make your journey to work easier, the MyBus ticket presents a simple, joined-up and good value bus travel solution for Oxfordshire’s residents and visitors.”
For the first time, such a ticket has been offered across all of the county, and with multiple operators.
Both of the county’s main bus providers, Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach, have day tickets for unlimited travel on their own services across Oxfordshire.
Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “We have a lot of experience in delivering multi-operator ticketing via the Oxford SmartZone scheme, and it’s great to be able to expand this principle across all bus services countywide.
“We’re pleased to support the council in this exciting initiative on a trial basis to help encourage more people in the county to give bus travel a try.”
Chris Hanson, managing director for Stagecoach West, added: “We are excited to be part of the first countywide multi operator ticketing scheme for Oxfordshire.”
Tickets can be purchased on participating bus operator websites and mobile apps.
For those who prefer the traditional method, day tickets are also available to purchase when boarding the bus.
Full details of the scheme, including which routes and operators are included, are available on Oxfordshire’s new bus partnership website, www.mybusoxfordshire.org.uk.
The government-issued funding, which has amounted to £14.6 million for Oxfordshire so far, aims to increase long-term bus patronage, maintain service levels, and promote innovation in the industry.
In addition to the introduction of the MyBus ticket, the budget has also been used to fund a £1 Sunday fare cap in December 2023 and 2024, and to enhance bus services in rural and urban areas.