Typical, you wait for one for ages, then Oxford Bus Group announce a series of significant improvements to its bus network across Oxfordshire all at once. Not only introducing new routes, but enhancing services to improve connectivity for residents and visitors. And it’s great news for those in Witney, Abingdon, Chipping Norton, Carterton, Clanfield, Bampton, and Aston. Those needing to get to Harwell Campus or schools in Abingdon also benefit.
The changes which started this month, were developed in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, aim to offer greater accessibility, better transport options for rural communities, and more frequent peak-time services.
New Routes and Enhanced Services
| Service | Route | Frequency | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| X15 | Witney – Oxford (via Abingdon) | Hourly | Replaces Pulhams’ 15 service; operates later trips and doubles previous frequency. |
| X9 (Sunday) | Chipping Norton – Witney | Every 2 hours | New Sunday service connecting these towns after many years. |
| 19 | Witney – Carterton (via Clanfield, Bampton, Aston) | Hourly throughout the day | Increased frequency; combined with X15 offers buses every 30 mins between Standlake, Ducklington, and Witney. |
| X2S (School) | Milton Park – Steventon – Drayton – Abingdon Schools | School-specific times | New school service directly serving Larkmead, John Mason, and Fitzharrys Schools. |
| X24 | Didcot Parkway – Harwell Campus | Peak-time services | Provides faster journeys during peak hours; developed in partnership with Harwell Campus. |
| X35 | Grove – Wantage – Harwell Campus | Regular service | Extended route to improve connectivity between Grove, Wantage, and Harwell Campus. |
Key among the updates is the launch of the X15 service, connecting Witney and Oxford via Abingdon. This new hourly service replaces the Pulhams’ 15 service and offers double the frequency of the previous route, providing more regular links between these towns and the surrounding villages. The service now runs later, making it more convenient for commuters and evening travellers.
Residents of Chipping Norton and Witney will also benefit from a new Sunday bus service (X9), operating every two hours, bringing Sunday connections to these towns for the first time in years. This service is particularly welcome for those without access to a car, enabling easier travel on weekends for shopping, social visits, and leisure.
The Pulhams’ 19 service between Witney and Carterton will also see improvements, with an increased frequency to hourly throughout the day. This service, which serves key villages like Bampton, Clanfield, and Aston, will now also support school transport to Henry Box School in Witney during school times, making it a more reliable option for students and families.
Better Connectivity for Rural Villages
The network enhancements are designed to deliver improved services to several Oxfordshire villages, including Standlake, Ducklington, Southmoor, and others.
For example, the combined X15 and 19 services will now provide buses up to every 30 minutes between Standlake, Ducklington, and Witney. This increased frequency will make public transport more accessible for rural residents, enhancing their ability to travel for work, education, and leisure.
School Services and Peak-Time Links
For students travelling to school, Thames Travel has introduced the X2S service, providing direct links from Milton Park, Steventon, and Drayton to Abingdon’s schools, including Larkmead, John Mason, and Fitzharrys. This new school-specific route ensures safer and more efficient journeys for students during term time.
The X24 service will now provide faster peak-time connections between Didcot Parkway and Harwell Campus, an essential link for commuters travelling to the region’s major science and business hub. This new route is expected to reduce journey times and ease congestion on other services during busy periods.
Supporting Sustainable Travel
Oxford Bus Group’s Managing Director, Luke Marion, emphasised the importance of growing bus patronage and making bus travel an appealing option. He noted that the Government’s £2 single fare cap and the Oxfordshire MyBus ticket have encouraged more people to switch to public transport. “We have reinvested these gains into developing our network as part of our ongoing commitment to make bus travel as appealing and accessible as possible,” Marion said.
This network expansion is also part of a broader initiative to promote environmentally friendly travel. With more frequent and convenient services, particularly in rural areas, the improvements are designed to reduce the reliance on cars, lowering traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
A Boost for Oxfordshire’s Communities
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, praised the new routes, noting their potential to improve daily life for many residents. “We know that not everyone has a car, and better bus services can reduce congestion for everyone,” he said. By partnering with the Oxford Bus Group, the council aims to enhance the public transport network, especially for people in the western parts of the county who rely on these vital services.
For passengers, the new routes and enhanced services offer improved timetables, including more frequent journeys and late-night options. The integration of accessible features, such as low-floor buses and wheelchair access, ensures that everyone can benefit from these services.
The Oxfordshire MyBus ticket remains a key offering, allowing unlimited travel across Oxford Bus Group’s various operators, including Thames Travel, Carousel Buses, and City Sightseeing Oxford.
How to Plan Your Journey
For more information on the new routes and services, passengers can visit the Oxford Bus Group website, where detailed timetables and maps are available. Alternatively, passengers can use real-time bus tracking through apps to stay informed about their journey.
By investing in better public transport options and partnering with local authorities, Oxford Bus Group is making a meaningful contribution to improving public mobility and supporting sustainable travel across Oxfordshire.
Full Quotes
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Group, said:
“We’re proud to have introduced multiple improvements to our bus network across Oxfordshire to provide increased connectivity for our customers.
“The Government’s £2 single fare cap and the Oxfordshire MyBus ticket has helped us grow patronage and we have reinvested this into developing our network as part of our on-going commitment to make bus travel as appealing and accessible as possible.”
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said:
“This is great news, especially for people in the west of the county. We know that not everyone has a car and also that better bus services get more cars off the road, reducing congestion for everyone. By working in partnership with Oxford Bus Group, we are helping to improve and enlarge the bus network and I look forward to seeing more people get on board in the future.”
Oxford Bus Group’s operating companies owned by the Go-Ahead Group consists of Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Carousel Buses, City Sightseeing Oxford and Pulhams.
Advertisement