August Updates

The Temporary Congestion Charge becomes Trial Traffic Filters following the re-opening of Botley Road 

Following Network Rail’s reopening of Botley Road on 20 September, Oxford’s travel network is moving into its next phase. On 28 September, the Temporary Congestion Charge officially transitions into the Trial Traffic Filters scheme. While the filter locations and permit schemes remain largely the same, drivers will no longer be able to pay a £5 pay-as-you-go charge to drive through filter points. However, with Botley Road back open, every single destination across Oxford remains fully accessible by car without needing to pass through a filter point—you may just need to follow a slightly different route. Existing permit holders don't need to reapply as permits will automatically transfer over. 

For all information on the traffic filters, applying for permits and paying the charge, check Oxfordshire County Council’s dedicated pages here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/oxford-traffic-filters

We have also added new pages to the Oxford Travel Options Website which we will keep updated. Check them out here:

Travelling Within Oxford

Travelling in and out of Oxford

Park and Ride Changes

Free bus travel from the Park and Ride has ended but under the updated Park and Ride offer, drivers can now grab a £3 combined ticket that covers both parking for up to 16 hours and return bus travel for up to five people of any age. Whether you park at Redbridge, Seacourt, Thornhill, Water Eaton, or Oxford Parkway, your combined ticket is valid on all participating operator services stopping at the site—including Stagecoach, Oxford Bus Company, and Thames Travel. It is by far the cheapest option to park and travel into Oxford City. 

See more here from Oxford City Council https://www.oxford.gov.uk/parkandridesites 

£2 Bus Fare Cap

Getting around Oxford and across the county is set to become even more affordable in January 2027 thanks to government-backed fare capping schemes. Single bus fares on participating routes across local operators—including Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Stagecoach, and Carousel Buses—are capped at just £2 per trip. Whether you're commuting across town, heading into the city centre for autumn shopping, or taking a scenic journey through the Oxfordshire countryside, you can travel further while keeping costs low. 

We will be updating the Oxford Travel Options website with any new information relating to the bus fare cap in the autumn. In the meantime, you can read more about the cap here

Read more here: https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-welcomes-return-of-2-single-bus-fare-cap/

We’ve been delighted that so many of you have checked out our latest blog on Family Days out by Bus in Oxfordshire. We hope it inspired you to get out and explore the Chilterns and beyond. The summer bus offer lasts a couple more weeks so there’s still time to make the most of kids travelling free. With buses becoming more affordable again in January, we hope these routes and ideas will continue to offer inspiration and motivation to get out and about by bus. 

Extended route 600 

Commuting between key hospital, science, and transport hubs across Oxford just got a whole lot smoother. The newly expanded Route 600 service provides direct connections up to every 30 minutes, seamlessly linking Oxford Rail Station, Redbridge Park & Ride, Oxford Science Park, Cowley, Churchill Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, and Thornhill Park & Ride. With new stops serving Horspath Road and expanded access around Churchill Hospital, it's easier than ever to get straight to work or medical appointments without changing buses. Read more here: https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/600-may-2026

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