Oxford Brookes University
Oxford Brookes: successfully reduced staff car parking demand by about 50% within two years
Oxford Brookes University has successfully reduced the number of staff car parking permits it issues by approximately 50% and has seen significant increases in those travelling to campus by sustainable modes of transport, resulting in a sizeable reduction in carbon from commuting.
In 2023 around 1,100 permits were issued, for the Headington campus, by 2024 this had reduced to 600, with eligibility criteria for permits introduced. With 240 spaces in the Headington Hill car park, they are currently operating at a ratio of 2.5 permits per space on the main campus.
They consider this successful reduction to be due to the careful process they followed:
Promoting the idea of the eligibility criteria for nearly two years before the new system was introduced and always linking this change to their strategic Oxford Campus Vision – and being clear from the start that this Vision would result in a significant reduction in car parking and thus a need to reduce permits issued.
Surveying those that held a permit in 2023 to ask for feedback on what the eligibility criteria might prioritise and holding workshops and using comms throughout the build-up to launch so people were aware of why it was happening.
Putting the emphasis on fairness – that the purpose of the new system was to improve fairness – those with greatest need to park (according to the eligibility criteria) would be able to do so.
Increasing prices to better align with Park and Ride, so that those who were ineligible for a permit were not paying considerably more to travel to work than those who were. Charges are between £2-10 a day, depending on salary.
Developing a ‘ready reckoner’ that was used to provide potential applicants with their likelihood of being eligible before they chose to apply – helping prevent those who were not likely from becoming invested in the outcome and wasting their time.
Whilst clearly some staff were disgruntled, the number of appeals the transport team have received have been minimal (just over 40 to date) and far less than Brookes anticipated. Appeals are decided independent of the transport team and are anonymised to avoid any bias.
Oxford Brookes have invested in a range of travel solutions for their staff (and students) for several years, including subsidised bus services and discounted tickets for staff and students, wide ranging cycling support and excellent travel information for staff.