£1 Oxford Bus Company Fares Extended for Teenagers , Oxford 2026

Key Points

• Oxford Bus Company has extended its Get Around for £1 travel scheme for young passengers aged 18 and under
• The £1 single fare applies within Oxford’s CityZone on Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, and Pulhams services
• The Get Around Card costs £15 one-off application fee and remains valid for three years or until the end of the month of the holder’s 19th birthday
• The scheme was originally launched in 2017 to make bus travel more affordable for young people
• Regular users typically begin saving after around eight journeys according to Oxford Bus Company
• The CityZone covers routes inside the Oxford ring road including Kidlington, Botley, Cumnor, Hinksey Hill, Kennington, Blackbird Leys, Horspath, Barton, and Wheatley
• Stagecoach services are not included in the CityZone tickets
• Applications can be made online or in person at Gloucester Green travel shop with proof of age and passport-sized photograph
• Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, called it a “flagship initiative” to encourage sustainable travel
• The initiative encourages teenagers to travel independently to school, college, work, social plans, or summer activities

Oxford (Oxford Daily) May 30, 2026 – Oxford Bus Company has officially extended its Get Around for £1 travel initiative for young passengers, encouraging teenagers and younger passengers to use Oxford’s buses this summer. The scheme allows passengers aged 18 and under to make single journeys within the CityZone for just £1 when they hold a valid Get Around Card .

The continuation of this affordable transport option comes as young people in Oxford can continue to travel around the city for £1 a journey after Oxford Bus Company extended its Get Around Card initiative . The initiative was first launched in 2017 and is designed to make bus travel more affordable for young people travelling to school, college, work, social plans or summer activities .

Which Routes and Services Are Covered by the £1 Fare?

The Get Around Card applies to Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel and Pulhams services within Oxford’s CityZone . The CityZone covers routes inside the Oxford ring road, as well as services to areas including Kidlington, Botley, Cumnor, Hinksey Hill, Kennington, Blackbird Leys, Horspath, Barton and Wheatley .

According to Oxford Bus Company’s CityZone information, the zone covers most of greater Oxford, including Kennington to the south, Cumnor to the west, Wheatley to the east, as well as Blackbird Leys, Wytham and Kidlington . However, passengers should check before travelling, as Stagecoach services are not included in Oxford Bus Company’s CityZone tickets .

Why Is Oxford Bus Company Continuing This Scheme?

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said the Get Around for £1 scheme had become a “flagship initiative” to encourage young people to travel sustainably . As reported by the Oxfordshire Guardian, he said: “If a Get Around Card user is travelling to school or college, or to meet up with friends and family during the holidays, every journey in our CityZone is capped at £1, making travel by bus a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution” .

Luke Marion continued: “It’s tremendous value, and an offer we encourage everyone aged 18 or younger to take full advantage of, especially during the summer months where Oxford and the city’s surrounds has so much to offer to local people and visitors alike” . He added: “Even better, cards remain valid for three years or to the end of the month for a person’s 19th birthday, whichever comes first” .

The Oxford Magazine also reported on May 28, 2026 that the scheme allows passengers aged 18 and under to travel for just £1 on all CityZone routes when using a Get Around Card.

How Much Does the Get Around Card Cost and How Long Does It Last?

The card costs £15 and can be bought online or at Oxford Bus Company’s Gloucester Green travel shop . Oxford Bus Company says regular users typically begin saving after around eight journeys . The card is valid for three years, or until the end of the month of the holder’s 19th birthday, whichever comes first .

The Get Around Card is not the same as a red Key card and cannot be topped up . It is used to unlock the £1 single fare within the CityZone .

What Documents Are Required to Apply for the Card?

Applications can be made online through Oxford Bus Company or in person at the Gloucester Green travel shop . Applicants need to provide proof of age, such as a passport, birth certificate or driving licence . Those applying in person also need a passport-sized photograph .

Oxford Bus Company says online applicants will need to upload a passport-style photo and proof that the applicant is aged under 19 . Applications can be made through Oxford Bus Company’s Get Around page .

What Do Families Need to Know About the £1 Fare Scheme?

The £1 fare does not apply automatically – passengers need a valid Get Around Card . Yes, 18-year-olds can use it as the card is for passengers aged 18 and under . The one-off application fee is £15 . The card lasts up to three years, or until the end of the month of the holder’s 19th birthday .

The fare does not cover all Oxford buses – it applies to eligible services within the CityZone . Stagecoach services are not included in Oxford Bus Company CityZone tickets .

Why Does This Scheme Matter Locally for Oxford Residents?

For young people in Oxford, the scheme could make regular bus journeys cheaper during the summer holidays and into the next school and college year . The £1 fare may also help teenagers travel more independently to meet friends, attend activities, reach part-time work or get to education without relying on lifts from parents and carers .

With the CityZone covering much of greater Oxford and nearby communities, the offer is likely to be most useful for families making repeated short journeys across the city and its suburbs . Teenagers and younger passengers are being encouraged to use Oxford’s buses this summer after Oxford Bus Company extended its Get Around for £1 travel .

Background of the Get Around for £1 Scheme Development

The Get Around for £1 scheme was originally launched in 2017 by Oxford Bus Company with the specific aim of making bus travel more affordable for young people in Oxford . The initiative has operated continuously since its inception, becoming what Managing Director Luke Marion now describes as a “flagship initiative” for sustainable young passenger travel .

The Get Around Card itself costs £15 as a one-off application fee and has maintained this pricing structure . The card validity period of three years or until the end of the month of the holder’s 19th birthday (whichever comes first) has been consistent throughout the scheme’s operation .

Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, and Pulhams services have been the participating operators within the CityZone since the scheme’s introduction . The CityZone coverage includes routes inside the Oxford ring road and extends to surrounding communities including Kidlington, Botley, Cumnor, Hinksey Hill, Kennington, Blackbird Leys, Horspath, Barton, Wheatley, and Wytham .

The scheme distinguishes itself from other transport cards in Oxford – it is not the same as a red Key card and cannot be topped up, serving specifically to unlock the £1 single fare within the CityZone . Oxford Bus Company’s Gloucester Green travel shop has been the physical location for card purchases since the scheme began, alongside online applications .

How Will This Development Affect Young Passengers and Families in Oxford?

This extension of the £1 fare scheme will directly benefit teenagers and young people aged 18 and under across Oxford and its surrounding communities by providing continued access to affordable public transport . Young passengers will be able to travel independently to school, college, work, social engagements, and summer activities without the financial burden of higher fare costs .

Families in Oxford will experience reduced transportation costs for their children, particularly those making regular journeys. With Oxford Bus Company stating that regular users typically begin saving after around eight journeys, families with children who use buses frequently will see immediate financial benefits . The three-year card validity means families won’t need to reapply annually, reducing administrative burden .

Teenagers will gain increased mobility and independence during the summer months when Oxford and its surroundings offer numerous activities for local people and visitors . The ability to travel affordably to meet friends, attend activities, or reach part-time work without relying on lifts from parents and carers represents a significant benefit for young people’s autonomy .

The scheme’s coverage of much of greater Oxford and nearby communities means families living in Kidlington, Botley, Cumnor, Kennington, Blackbird Leys, and other covered areas will find the offer particularly useful for repeated short journeys across the city and its suburbs . However, families should note that Stagecoach services remain excluded from the CityZone tickets, meaning they’ll need to use Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, or Pulhams services to benefit from the £1 fare .

The environmentally friendly aspect of the scheme aligns with growing sustainability concerns, encouraging young people to choose bus travel over private car use . As Luke Marion emphasized, every journey in the CityZone being capped at £1 makes travel by bus a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for young passengers .