9th January 2026
Oxfordshire County Council’s current offer of free park and ride bus journeys in Oxford will continue until the end of March 2026.
This offer was introduced on 29 October for three months to support the council’s temporary congestion charge, which has been implemented as an interim measure while Botley Road remains closed, preventing the start of the traffic filter trial.
The offer has seen many more people benefit from park and ride travel and is one way that income from the council’s temporary congestion charge scheme is being spent.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management said: “The free park and ride bus journey offer is proving extremely popular, with park and ride operators reporting over 179,000 more journeys in the first two months of the offer than the same period last year.
“I’m pleased that so many people are benefitting not just from our offer of free bus journeys but also faster park and ride services since the congestion charge was introduced. The fantastic take-up is contributing to cleaner air, reduced traffic, and safer streets.
“With bus companies now providing further service improvements, people have more choice and convenience when it comes to bus travel and accessing the city, including major hospital sites.”
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company said: "We're delighted that the popular free park and ride scheme made possible by the temporary congestion charge will be continuing for a further two months.
“Use of Redbridge Park and Ride is up by a significant 63 per cent. More people choosing to use park and ride services contributes to reducing traffic on Oxford's roads, leading to faster journey times for bus passengers. What's more, ridership on local buses is also showing encouraging growth, following the introduction of the council's congestion charge scheme, and our corresponding service improvements.
“Now that we have data on the real-world traffic conditions being seen under the congestion charge, we'll be making some further changes to our timetables to improve reliability from 22 February, and details of these will be announced soon."
Chris Hanson, Managing Director of Stagecoach West said: “We are delighted that the free park and ride scheme has been extended for a further two months. So far this has proved popular with a 53 per cent uplift at park and ride sites on Stagecoach services, which is fantastic. I am confident this will continue in the scheme’s extension.
“Park and ride is a fantastic way to travel into Oxford and, alongside the temporary congestion charge, is helping to take traffic off our historic streets.
“We have also introduced a number of new cross city links from both Oxford Parkway Park and Ride and Redbridge Park and Ride, creating new connections for our communities.”
Up to two adults and three children with a valid park and ride parking ticket are able to claim free travel to and from park and ride sites in the city. The tickets are valid on any Stagecoach, Oxford Bus Company or Thames Travel bus that stops at a park and ride site in Oxford, not just named park and ride services.
