Stagecoach Oxfordshire will restart its Oxford Tube scheduled coach service between the university city and London on Monday 6 July.
Oxford Tube will operate to a temporary reduced timetable seven days per week with a departure up to every 15 minutes from Oxford during the morning peak. Express journeys that run non-stop between Thornhill park-and-ride site and Baker Street will remain suspended.
Ahead of the restart, all Oxford Tube coaches will gain a screen between the driver and passengers. Drivers will additionally be provided with face masks for when they need to leave the cab. They will receive face shields to wear should ‘close contact’ passenger assistance be required.
Capacity will be reduced to comply with social distancing guidance and a one-way system will be used. That will involve passengers boarding at the front door and alighting at the centre. An internal clean will be undertaken after each journey. A deep clean has been performed on all coaches while they have been idle since Stagecoach suspended the Oxford Tube after 5 April.
Says Stagecoach in Oxfordshire Managing Director Chris Coleman: “The Oxford Tube team has worked very hard in developing a timetable that provides our passengers with a sufficient level of service while working with the reduced capacity needed to meet social distancing guidelines.
“Public transport will continue to play a crucial role in the country’s recovery ahead. As well as helping to restart our economy, it is vital in bringing normality back to many areas of our daily lives.”
