Oxford Bus Company has welcomed a further extension of a scheme making park-and-ride bus travel in the city free.
The initiative, which began in October as a three-month trial, was first extended until the end of March but will now continue until at least the end of May.
It coincides with the introduction of a temporary road congestion charge which is in place during the closure of Botley Road.
Oxford Bus Company, which, along with Stagecoach West, operates the park-and-ride service, says the scheme has had a positive effect on patronage.
Passenger numbers are up by 8% year on year across the Go-Ahead-owned Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel networks and a third of this increase is on the park-and-ride route.
This increase has enabled the operators to make a series of service improvements in Oxford.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, says: “This is great news for bus passengers across Oxfordshire.
“It continues to make bus travel accessible, sustainable and reliable. The reduction in congestion has sped up bus journey times and enabled us to reinvest these savings into improving other services in our network.
“This has meant more services on the 5A, 100 and 700, the introduction of new service 20, faster journeys in south Oxfordshire and additional links for Rose Hill, Littlemore and the Iffley Road.
“Free travel on park-and-ride services is working and we would like to see it confirmed for the duration of the temporary congestion charge to provide clarity for everyone, particularly for city centre business ahead of the key summer season.
“We look forward to the upcoming council cabinet meeting, when we expect a decision will be made on what happens beyond the end of May for both free park-and-ride travel and further travel benefits funded via the congestion charge.”
