Oxfordshire service changes

Oxford bus network strengthened with more frequent services and new hospital link

A major enhancement to bus services between Oxford and West Oxfordshire is being introduced as part of a series of changes to the Oxford bus network, giving customers more frequent services, improved connectivity and better access to key destinations.

The changes follow the reopening of Botley Road and will see the introduction of the new S1A alongside an enhanced S1 service, providing up to six buses an hour between Witney and Oxford via the A40 corridor. Together, the S1 and S1A will provide a bus every 15 minutes between Oxford, Botley, Farmoor, Eynsham and Witney, with each service operating every 30 minutes.

The enhanced corridor will make it easier for customers across West Oxfordshire to connect with Oxford and destinations across the wider network, while taking advantage of bus priority measures within Oxford and the capped £3 fare.

The S1 will continue beyond Witney to Carterton, while the new S1A will serve the Downs Road Industrial Estate and continue to the Windrush Estate before returning to Oxford.

Following the reopening of Botley Road, the S6 will be extended to Gloucester Green Bus Station. Its timetable will also be revised to improve reliability, particularly during peak periods, helping to provide more consistent journey times for customers travelling into and across Oxford.

The S9 will provide new direct links between Wantage, Cumnor and Botley and the John Radcliffe Hospital, giving customers in these areas a new connection to one of Oxford’s most important healthcare destinations.

The revised services will also improve connections to key employment areas around Witney and provide six buses an hour between Witney and Oxford via the A40 corridor.

Selected school-day journeys on the S1 will extend to Burford, providing additional capacity for students travelling to Burford School and helping to address existing capacity pressures on Services 233 and 234.

The S2 will operate every 30 minutes between Carterton, Witney and Oxford via the A40 and Woodstock Road, improving journey times and providing a more consistent service between Carterton and Oxford. Eynsham village will not be served by the S2, with alternative connections available through the S1 and S1A.

The S3 timetable will be adjusted to better reflect customer demand. Journeys operating to Charlbury will be renumbered S3A, making it clearer for customers which services travel to Charlbury.

The S5 will also receive timetable changes to improve punctuality. Following the trial of limited stopping on Banbury Road, the service will return to serving all stops, improving connections along Banbury Road and between Summertown and Bicester.

Services 29 and H5 will transfer to another operator as part of the revised network arrangements.

The E1 and 14 will be incorporated into other routes, with increased frequency helping to maintain and improve connections for customers. The connections between Oxford Railway Station, Banbury Road, Old Marston, Northway and the John Radcliffe Hospital will be retained through the S9, while Risinghurst will continue to be served through a separate tender awarded to Oxford Bus Company.

Minor timetable and operational changes will also be introduced on Service 26, while Service 25 will be adjusted as part of the revised tendered network arrangements.

Timetables will be available to download shortly

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