14/01/2010

• Main bus operators and County Council agree ground-breaking plan
• £10m investment in new low emission buses to improve environment
• More seats, integrated smartcard ticketing, turn-up-and-go timetables
  

Oxford's two main bus operators and Oxfordshire County Council have announced a new greener bus network for the city.

The ground-breaking agreement, the first of its kind in the UK, is the result of months of planning between Stagecoach, Oxford Bus Company, and transport officers from Oxfordshire County Council.

It is the latest element of the County Council's Transform Oxford plans and will deliver a better environment for pedestrians and people using public transport.

Planned to go live in autumn 2010, the new sustainable bus network will deliver

• £10million investment in new state-of-the-art low emission buses
• A new multi-operator integrated smartcard ticketing system
• Convenient, turn-up-and-go high-frequency bus services on the city's four key corridors
• An efficient, accessible and co-ordinated package of services
• More seats using fewer buses by switching to high-quality double-decker vehicles
• Better information and faster boarding for bus passengers

Oxford has one of the highest levels of bus use in the UK, with around 50 per cent of all journeys in and around the city being made by bus. As well as significantly improving the travelling experience for existing bus users, the new package of improvements will provide scope for more people to switch from car to bus, delivering safer, cleaner and less congested streets around Oxford.

A national first
It is understood to be the first use of new powers under the Local Transport Act 2008 designed to enable more effective partnership working between local transport authorities and bus operators to deliver more co-ordinated bus services.

Steve Howell, Head of Transport, Oxfordshire County Council, said: "This ground-breaking agreement is a first for the UK and is another important milestone in delivering our vision to transform the centre of Oxford for everyone using the city. It will ensure cleaner, safer streets, better air quality and a sustainable bus network for the future. We aim to have a quarter less buses on the High Street, delivering a significant cut in carbon emissions."

Martin Sutton, Managing Director, Stagecoach Oxfordshire, said: "Our partnership blueprint is a winning package for Oxford will deliver a greener, smarter bus network. We will be able to offer faster, more integrated travel using 21st century smartcard ticketing technology. Providing more seats using fewer buses will be better for the environment and the increased capacity will ensure we have the scope to attract more people out of their cars as part of our efforts to tackle climate change."

Philip Kirk, Managing Director, Oxford Bus Company, said: "Oxford already has one of the highest quality bus networks in the country and this joint multi-million investment will give the city the most modern and hi-tech bus fleet in Europe. We support the County Council's plans to enhance the city centre. Our plans will make bus travel better and our services easier to use."

Most advanced in Europe
Bus operators and Oxfordshire County Council are now working on the detailed operational plans required to ensure a seamless transition to the new network, including timetables, bus stops, and passenger information.

The high-frequency turn-up-and-go bus network will cover London Road, Cowley Road, Iffley Road and Banbury Road.

Smartcard technology will speed up boarding and allow passengers to seamlessly use either Stagecoach or Oxford Bus Company services without having to buy separate products.

The fleet of 46 new double-decker buses will be amongst the most advanced in Europe, delivering exceptionally high environmental performance.

ENDS

For further information contact Stagecoach Group Communications on 01738 442111 or email media@stagecoachgroup.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The company employs 30,000 people, and operates bus, coach, rail, and tram services. Stagecoach is one of UK's biggest bus and coach operators, running around 7,000 vehicles from south-west England to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and carrying around 2 million passengers every day.