Public voting and entries open for Brand the Bus 2025

Oxfordshire-based charities are being encouraged to sign up to Brand the Bus 2025 after Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel launched public voting on New Year’s Day. 

Celebrating its seventh year, Brand the Bus is an annual competition that enables a local good cause to have its branding splashed across an entire double-decker bus that will serve the city and surrounding routes.

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. 

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 stating what it would mean to win the competition. 

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, encouraged charities to get their entries in before they close on Saturday, March 1. 

“Brand the Bus is always a highlight on our calendar, and we’re pleased to open entries and public voting for our 2025 competition,” he said. “Thanks to our partnerships with Get Radio and Oxford City FC, this year’s winning prize is the biggest we’ve offered, with a £100,000 advertising package serving as a fantastic asset to the winning cause. 

“We care deeply about the communities we serve and have seen first-hand the positive impact Brand the Bus has had on our previous winners. 

“Entries close on March 1, so charities have plenty of time to enter with public voting live until April 1. We look forward to judging all submissions later this year, and best of luck to everyone who enters.” 

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 SkyeThinking, Restore and last year’s winners, Oxford Hospitals Charity.