£3 fares or less

Starting 1st January 2025, the cost of a single bus ticket will be capped at £3 on eligible routes, but many fares will be cheaper than that.

However, for frequent bus users, our period passes, or multi-trip tickets can offer even better value. Plus, your journeys are unlimited allowing you to travel as often as needed without worrying about additional costs.

Affordable Zone Tickets

Our zone tickets often cost less than £3 per day, with the daily rate decreasing as the pass duration increases. For example, a CityZone 4-week pass costs just £61 via our mobile app—that’s just over £2 per day. In fact, it's often cheaper to travel with us than it is to buy a daily coffee—now that's a deal worth brewing over! A 13-week pass purchased on the app offers even more savings for those committed to long-term travel.

If you work part-time or split your time between home and work, our 12-trip passes can be tailored to suit your schedule and cost just over £2 per trip. 

For more information visit our fares page.

App Benefits and Discounts 

With the Oxford Mobile Bus app, your period pass is effectively prepaid, allowing unlimited travel during that time. Simply scan your mobile phone ticket when boarding. You can also access exclusive discounts at various businesses and attractions around Oxford when you present your mobile ticket. New to using the app? Watch our starter videos.

*T&Cs apply. Please see the FAQs below for details.

What exactly is the £3 bus fares cap?

Until 31st December 2025, the cost of an adult single bus fare will be a maximum of £3 in England outside London. This is being funded by the Government to help ease the cost of living pressures. The cap will help people save money on their travel costs and will encourage more people to choose buses for local journeys and beyond.

What journeys does it cover?

The £3 fare cap will cover all single journeys by participating bus operators on local bus services. 

Is this replacing the £2 fare cap?

Yes, this will be replacing the £2 fare cap from 1st January 2025.

Is there a maximum distance?

No, there isn’t a maximum distance. But the cap only covers local buses - it doesn’t cover the airline coach service.

Do you normally use a Concessionary bus pass on our services?

You can continue to use your bus pass at the normal times, and take advantage of our new 'Early bird' discount for Concessionary pass users within the Oxford CityZone - find out more about this offer here.

What payment methods are included?

All payment methods are included. You can pay for your ticket in cash, using a contactless card/device, the mobile app or Freeflow - you won’t be charged more than £3.

My usual fare is below £3. Does this mean it will go up to £3?

Some 'short hop' fares cost less than £3, and will therefore remain unchanged, so you will not pay any more than usual for your journey.

Does this cap cover child fares as well as adult fares?

Yes, child fares on Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel services will be capped at a maximum of £3. This may differ on other operators.

I have a concessionary ticket and get free/discounted travel. Will I have to pay £3?

As part of the offer, you won't pay more than you usually do for a journey. If you were previously paying less than £3, or if your journey was free of charge, nothing changes.

If fares are capped, do I still have to ‘tap off’ when I get off the bus as well as ‘tap on’ when using Freeflow?

Yes, you still need to tap off and tap on, in order to ensure we can calculate the correct fare. If you don't tap off when leaving the bus, you will be charged to the end of the route. During this offer, that means a maximum of £3.

What happens if I change buses - do I have to pay £3 twice?

Yes, you do. The fare cap only applies to a journey on a single bus. If you're travelling on more than two buses in a day, It will likely be cheaper to purchase a day ticket for the zone you are travelling in - check out our range of tickets here.

How long does the offer last?

The scheme will run from January 2025 until the end of December 2025.