Oxford Bus Group confirms participation in new fare cap scheme

Oxfordshire’s leading group of bus operators has confirmed it will participate in the Government’s new £3 cap on single fares from 1st January 2025.

Oxford Bus Group, comprising Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Carousel Buses and Pulhams announced it has re-committed to the scheme.

The fare cap will continue for all single bus fares. However, for most fares on the Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel and Carousel Buses networks many single fares will now fall below the national cap.

Frequent bus users can also unlock further savings via multi-journey passes and period passes.

Customers are advised small changes will be introduced to Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel’s ticketing range, including SmartZone and CityZone & CountryZone day tickets, plus Park&Ride and Didcot Zone fares. A new SmartZone group ticket will be added to the company's app.

Pulhams has confirmed that all Adult and Child Single and Return fares have been reviewed to ensure they offer a fair price for customers, with many fares reduced alongside some increases.

Carousel Buses is also taking part in the £3 fare national cap, and it has reviewed and revised all of its fares and most will change, again with many decreasing and others increasing.

With numerous changes due to come into force from New Year's Day, customers are advised to check each operator’s website for full details.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Group Managing Director, said: “I’m pleased to confirm we’re taking part in the Government’s £3 fare cap on single adult bus journeys from 1st January.

“There will be a few changes to our wider ticketing products required to support this and we appreciate there are a lot of changes, so I’d encourage our customers to visit our websites where all the information will be available.

“I’d like to advise customers that many single bus fares will be lower than the new Government fare cap and bus travel remains tremendous value for money.

“To date the Government fare cap has helped us to grow patronage and reinvest in developing our network to continue to make bus travel as accessible and attractive as possible.”