Oxfordshire’s leading bus operators have announced their continued participation in the government’s £3 cap on single bus fares, set to take effect on 1 January 2025. The Oxford Bus Group, which includes Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Carousel Buses, and Pulhams, is fully aligned with this initiative aimed at making public transport more affordable and accessible across the region.
Key Details of the Fare Cap Scheme
The fare cap ensures that all single bus journeys cost no more than £3, benefiting passengers across Oxfordshire and beyond. For many routes operated by Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, and Carousel Buses, fares are already priced below this threshold, ensuring some of the most competitive rates in the region.
Additionally, passengers can unlock further savings through multi-journey passes, SmartZone tickets, and other discounted travel options, making bus travel even more economical.
Customer Guidance
Passengers are advised to check each operator’s website for detailed fare and ticketing updates:
Updates to Ticketing and Fares
With the introduction of the £3 fare cap, Oxford Bus Group operators have implemented some changes to their ticketing structures:
Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel:
- Adjustments to SmartZone, CityZone, and CountryZone day tickets.
- Updates to Park&Ride and Didcot Zone fares.
- Launch of a new SmartZone group ticket, available via the company’s app.
Carousel Buses:
- A review of fare structures with many reductions and some increases for specific routes.
Pulhams:
- Revised Adult and Child Single and Return fares, ensuring fair pricing while introducing reductions for several journeys.
Passengers are encouraged to visit the operators’ websites to review these updates and plan their travel accordingly.
Specific Fare Updates for Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel
SmartZone Day Ticket:
- Adult: £5.00
- Group: £10.00 (Now available on the app).
CityZone Day FreeFlow Cap:
Combined CityZone & CountryZone Day Tickets:
- Adult: £9.50 (App), £10.00 (On bus).
- 18 & Under: £6.50 (App), £7.00 (On bus).
- Group: £21.00 (App), £23.00 (On bus).
Park&Ride Fares:
- Adult Single: £2.50.
- Adult Return: £4.00.
- 72-Hour Return: £4.50.
- 2 To Go Return: £6.00.
- 2 To Go 72-Hour Return: £7.00.
Didcot Zone Tickets:
- Adult Single: £2.00.
- Adult 1 Day: £4.00.
- Adult 1 Week: £16.00.
- Adult 12 Trip: £20.00 (App only).
- Child/Young Person Single: £1.30.
- Child/Young Person 1 Day: £2.50.
- Child/Young Person 1 Week: £10.00.
- Child/Young Person 12 Trip: £13.00 (App only).
- Group 1 Day: £10.00.
Discontinued Tickets
10-Trip Tickets
Withdrawn on Thames Travel services, except:
- Adult tickets for journeys between Oxford and Harwell Campus (App only).
- Child/Student tickets on select school services (available until the end of the 2024/25 academic year).
Through Tickets
- Discontinued on most Oxford Bus and Thames Travel services, except for certain routes in the Wallingford area. Day tickets are recommended as alternatives.
Revised Fare Details for Carousel Buses
Adult Single Fares:
- Starting from as low as £1.50, with many fares already below the £3 cap.
Day Tickets:
- The Adult Day Ticket is priced at £9.00.
- New Group Day Ticket introduced, available for £15.00 on the Chiltern Hundreds service.
- 18 & Under Day Ticket priced at £6.50.
Multi-Journey Passes:
- 10-Journey Tickets are available exclusively via the app for £21.00, offering additional savings for regular passengers.
Zone Coverage:
- New Zone A to Zone C structure introduced, offering simplified pricing for local journeys.
Chiltern Hundreds Service Enhancements:
- For passengers using this route, options such as group day tickets and app-exclusive savings make travel more accessible.
Discontinued Tickets:
- Carousel Buses has discontinued physical paper tickets in favour of digital app-based options for greater convenience.
Supporting Sustainable and Affordable Travel
The government’s fare cap scheme is part of a broader initiative to encourage greener, more sustainable travel and reduce financial pressures on households. The scheme aligns with Oxfordshire’s environmental goals by promoting the use of public transport, reducing road congestion, and cutting emissions.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Group, shared his enthusiasm for the initiative:
“I’m pleased to confirm we’re taking part in the Government’s £3 fare cap on single adult bus journeys from 1st January.
“There will be a few changes to our wider ticketing products required to support this and we appreciate there are a lot of changes, so I’d encourage our customers to visit our websites where all the information will be available.
“I’d like to advise customers that many single bus fares will be lower than the new Government fare cap and bus travel remains tremendous value for money.
“To date the Government fare cap has helped us to grow patronage and reinvest in developing our network to continue to make bus travel as accessible and attractive as possible.”
The Oxford Bus Group’s participation underscores its dedication to supporting local communities through affordable and sustainable travel. By aligning with the fare cap scheme, the group continues to prioritise accessibility and environmental responsibility.
The £3 fare cap offers a significant incentive for commuters, students, and families to embrace public transport as a cost-effective and eco-friendly travel option.
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