The key

Illustration of a red key card

Please note: from 17th March 2024, we will also be introducing a £10.00 charge for any new key cards issued online.

The key is older technology, and cost of producing these cards has risen several times over the past year.

Why not consider purchasing your bus tickets on our mobile app? It's FREE, provides real-time updates on all our services, and you don't have to worry about losing your bus pass! Find out more about our app here.

This does not affect the cost of replacement cards, or those purchased from travel shops.

 

About the key

The key is a rechargeable travel smartcard that can save you time, money and hassle on Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel services.

Visit the key website

Here are a number of advantage to having a key smart card:

  • You make big savings on daily or occasional travel.
  • You can top-up online or in person at our Gloucester Green travel shop.
  • There’s no need to carry cash - just touch and go!
  • If you lose your key, we can block anyone else from using your travel and issue a replacement smartcard.

Click here to find out more about the tickets available

Bulk Orders

If you have a group wanting to use our services to travel, the most convenient way to order is in advance by e-mailing with your request to us at [email protected]. We will then provide a quote, take payment and prepare your passes for collection.

key orders

Most of our bulk orders are fulfilled using our key smartcard, which offers 1, 4, 13, 52 week durations which can make up any number of weeks (eg. 2, 3, 5, 6 weeks and so forth). You can ask your group to register for cards to be posted out via our online website at oxfordkey.co.uk (with either their own UK address or the company postal address you'd like them sent to) or e-mail us with the list at [email protected].

Single trips and day passes

We do also offer day passes in the form of scratchcards, as well as Heathrow and Gatwick airports single, day/next day returns and period returns by way of travel vouchers. You can order these online here or by e-mailing us at [email protected].

Beat the queues

Smartcards can take around ten minutes each to register and print, so we encourage groups of passengers, to apply through the aforementioned channels to avoid queuing at our travel shop.