Brand the Bus 2025 competition hots up

More than 25 charities have already entered Brand the Bus 2025, less than a month after it was launched by Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel.

The annual competition offers people the chance to nominate their favourite good cause to be branded on a double-decker bus. Since launching the competition, three weeks ago some 29 entries have been made by local good causes and charities. 

The competition marks its biggest prize giveaway in 2025, with the winning charity scooping an advertising package worth £100,000 thanks to the creation of a new community-based partnership with Get Radio and Oxford City Football Club.

In addition to branding on a bus, the winning charity will also receive advertising via bus on-board digital screens, advertising on Get Radio and become Oxford City FC’s charity of choice for the 2025-26 season.

Runner-up prizes for highly commended entries are also available with onboard bus advertising packages worth £2,000 and £1,000, respectively, up for grabs. 

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, said: “We’ve received a huge response which is a record for this stage in the competition. Brand the Bus continues to capture the public’s imagination and I’d encourage as many people to get involved as possible. 

“Brand the Bus always serves as a reminder that there’s so many good causes doing valuable work across Oxfordshire and we’re looking forward to hearing about even more.”

All good causes with a presence in Oxfordshire or the nearby surrounding area that benefit the local community are eligible to enter. Entrants must complete a simple online entry form by 1st March stating what it would mean to win the competition. 

The top 10 charities from the public vote will be shortlisted and go to a judging panel who will decide the Brand the Bus 2025 winner and runners-up. The winner will be announced in June with the branded bus unveiled and put into service in the autumn. 

Charities and good causes can enter this year’s Brand the Bus competition by completing an online submission form via www.oxfordbus.co.uk/brand-bus-2025. 

Prizes will be awarded to entries that have, in the panel’s opinion, fulfilled the brief to the highest standard. The winning organisation will be invited to work with Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel on the design. 

Previous winners of Brand the Bus include SeeSaw, Girl Guiding Oxfordshire, Home-Start Oxford, Blue Skye Thinking, Restore and last year’s winners, Oxford Hospitals Charity.