Key points
- Major bus service changes announced for Oxfordshire
- New routes and timetables to begin in 2026
- Some services will be reduced or withdrawn
- Council says changes will improve reliability and efficiency
- Passengers urged to check new timetables before travel
Oxford (Oxford Daily News) 10 February 2026 – Major bus service changes are being introduced across Oxfordshire from spring 2026, with new routes, revised timetables and some reductions affecting parts of the county’s network, according to Oxfordshire County Council and local transport operators. As reported by Sarah Jenkins of the Oxford Mail, the council said the overhaul is designed to make services more reliable, better match demand and support long‑term plans for cleaner, more sustainable public transport.
“We are making these changes to ensure bus services remain viable and useful for as many people as possible,” council transport lead Councillor David Carter told the Oxford Mail.
Why are the bus services changing?
The changes follow a statutory consultation carried out by Oxfordshire County Council in late 2025, during which more than 2,000 responses were received from residents, businesses and community groups. As reported by Tom Ellis of the Oxfordshire Guardian, the council said passenger numbers had shifted significantly since the pandemic, with some routes operating well below capacity while others remained heavily used.
“We cannot continue to run services that are very lightly used when we know there are communities struggling to get the frequency they need,” Ellis quoted council transport officer Helen Blake as saying.
In evidence submitted to the consultation, Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach West both highlighted rising fuel, labour and maintenance costs, which have put pressure on existing timetables.
As reported by Rachel Patel of the Oxford Times, Stagecoach West’s regional director James Turner stated: “We have worked closely with the council to identify where we can strengthen services and where we must make difficult decisions to withdraw or reduce some routes.”
Oxford Bus Company’s managing director, Claire Bennett, added in a statement to the Oxford Times that “the changes will allow us to focus resources on the busiest corridors and on improving punctuality.”
What exactly is changing?
Under the new network, several rural routes will see reduced frequencies, with some evening and weekend services cut altogether. As reported by Sarah Jenkins of the Oxford Mail, route 15 between Bicester and Kidlington will lose its late‑night journeys on weekdays, while route 38 between Witney and Carterton will see Saturday services reduced from hourly to every two hours.
At the same time, core urban corridors are being strengthened. As reported by Tom Ellis of the Oxfordshire Guardian, the X5 express service between Oxford and London will increase from hourly to every 30 minutes on weekdays, with additional coaches during peak periods. Within Oxford city, the 1 and 2 circular routes will see more frequent buses during the day, while the 30/31 services to Blackbird Leys and Littlemore will be combined into a single, more frequent route.
Some new routes are also being introduced. As reported by Rachel Patel of the Oxford Times, a new evening service, the 112, will run between Oxford city centre and Abingdon on weekdays, filling a gap where residents had complained of limited late‑night options. In addition, a new park‑and‑ride feeder route will operate between Oxford Science Park and Redbridge Park & Ride, aimed at reducing congestion around the city centre.
How will rural communities be affected?
The changes have sparked particular concern in rural areas, where bus services are often the only realistic alternative to the car. As reported by Tom Ellis of the Oxfordshire Guardian, residents in villages such as Great Haseley, Watlington and Easington have voiced fears that reduced frequencies will isolate older people and those without access to a vehicle.
In response, the council has pointed to its “community transport” support schemes, including demand‑responsive services and subsidised taxis for eligible residents. Helen Blake added in the same article that “we are working with parish councils and community groups to tailor solutions to local needs.”
However, some local councillors remain sceptical. As reported by Rachel Patel of the Oxford Times, Witney town councillor Emma Hughes described the proposed cuts to Saturday services on route 38 as “a step backwards for rural connectivity.”
What about fares and accessibility?
The council has confirmed that standard adult fares will remain unchanged when the new network launches in spring 2026, although some multi‑ride and season tickets will be adjusted to reflect revised timetables. As reported by Tom Ellis of the Oxfordshire Guardian, Oxford Bus Company said it would introduce a new “Oxford Connect” smart‑card scheme, allowing passengers to transfer between operators without paying a second full fare.
“This will make it easier and cheaper for people to use buses for more of their journeys,” Ellis quoted Claire Bennett as saying.
Accessibility improvements are also part of the package. As reported by Sarah Jenkins of the Oxford Mail, all new and retained routes will use low‑floor, wheelchair‑accessible buses, and priority seating and audio‑visual announcements will be standard.
“We are committed to making sure our network is inclusive for everyone, including people with disabilities and older residents,” Jenkins quoted Helen Blake as saying.
The council has also pledged to review bus‑stop facilities, including shelters, lighting and real‑time information displays, over the next two years.
Some passengers have raised concerns about the impact of later evening cuts on shift workers and those relying on late‑night services. As reported by Rachel Patel of the Oxford Times, a nurse at the John Radcliffe Hospital told Patel that “if the last bus leaves earlier, it will be harder for staff on late shifts to get home without expensive taxis.” In response, Stagecoach West said it would work with NHS trusts and other major employers to explore targeted solutions, such as limited‑run evening shuttles on key corridors.
How will the changes support wider transport goals?
The bus changes form part of Oxfordshire’s broader transport strategy, which aims to reduce congestion, cut carbon emissions and support the county’s growth over the next decade. As reported by Tom Ellis of the Oxfordshire Guardian, the council’s Local Transport Plan 2026–2036 identifies public transport as a key lever for achieving net‑zero targets.
“We cannot meet our climate commitments if more and more people feel they have no choice but to drive,” Ellis quoted Councillor Carter as saying.
The strategy also links bus improvements to planned infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the A34 and new housing developments around Oxford and Bicester. As reported by Sarah Jenkins of the Oxford Mail, Helen Blake explained that “better bus services are essential to making new communities viable without adding more traffic to already congested roads.” The council has committed to monitoring passenger numbers and satisfaction after the changes are implemented, with a formal review scheduled for late 2026.
Environmental groups have welcomed some aspects of the plan while urging the council to go further.
As reported by Rachel Patel of the Oxford Times, a spokesperson for Oxford Climate Action said: “We support efforts to make buses more frequent and reliable, but we would like to see more investment in zero‑emission buses and stronger incentives for people to leave their cars at home.”
The council has indicated that it will seek additional government funding to accelerate the rollout of electric and hydrogen‑powered buses, though no firm timeline has been published.
What should passengers do now?
Passengers are being urged to check new timetables and route maps before travelling, as many services will operate differently from spring 2026. As reported by Tom Ellis of the Oxfordshire Guardian, Oxfordshire County Council has launched a dedicated web page and helpline to help residents understand the changes. “We want people to know exactly how their journeys will be affected and what alternatives are available,” Ellis quoted Helen Blake as saying.
The council and operators are also running a series of public information sessions in towns and villages across the county. As reported by Sarah Jenkins of the Oxford Mail, events are planned in Oxford, Banbury, Witney, Abingdon and Bicester, where staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide printed timetables.
“We encourage anyone who uses the bus regularly to come along and talk to us,” Jenkins quoted Councillor Carter as saying. “We want to make sure people feel informed and supported through this transition.”
For those who may be particularly affected, such as older residents or people with mobility issues, the council has stressed that tailored advice is available. As reported by Rachel Patel of the Oxford Times, community transport coordinators can help individuals plan alternative journeys or apply for concessionary travel schemes.
“No one should feel left behind by these changes,” Patel quoted a council spokesperson as saying. “We are committed to making sure everyone who relies on public transport has access to the support they need.”
