Stagecoach set to increase services across Oxfordshire

The uplift will see the operator's bus network return to around 80 per cent of pre-COVID-19 levels after the network was significantly reduced at the end of March following government advice to stay at home.

Increases in frequency will be introduced on the S3 and 7 between Woodstock and Oxford, S5 between Bicester and Oxford and S8 and S9 between Wantage, Grove and Oxford.

In Banbury, many services will increase to their pre-covid timetables at least Monday to Friday as more passengers return to using the bus.

In partnership with Oxford Bus Company additional journeys will also be added on Oxford City routes.

The additional journeys will give passengers more choice and provide better opportunity to social distance as there will be more seats available on the routes. Stagecoach passengers are advised to check the company website before travelling on or after the 28th.

In addition to changes in frequency services, the S3 and 7 between Woodstock and Oxford will also benefit from reliability improvements with changes to times throughout the timetable, particularly in peaks.

Journeys towards Woodstock on the 7 will now service the Oxford Airport stop on the Boulevard. There will be also be a new Saturday and Sunday timetable for both services and a shuttle service will operate on Saturdays to provide additional trips between Charlbury and Woodstock.

The S8 and S9 between Wantage, Grove and Oxford will operate to a new timetable with additional journeys every day of the week and at peaks. Weekend times to and from Oxford will also change.

Details of the changes and new timetables can be found at stagecoach.com/coronavirus and it is recommended that people check their journeys before travelling from June 28. The changes come after the company announced the Oxford Tube will resume a limited service on July 6.

In addition to the step up in services, enhanced measures to keep buses clean and passengers and staff safe have been implemented to ensure people can feel confident about travelling by bus.

These include clear signage to highlight available seats which are safely distanced apart and on board messages to remind passengers of key points to consider in order travel as safely as possible.

Customers are reminded that face coverings were made compulsory in England when using public transport from June 15.

The government has provided a list of exemptions to this and passengers who are exempt are advised to apply for a Journey Assistance card to show to the driver and any other officials who request.

An online form has been made available on the Stagecoach website for applications here: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/journey-assistance-cardsChris Coleman, managing director of Stagecoach Oxfordshire said: "As more and more people begin to go about their everyday lives we recognised it was time to further increase the services we are currently operating.

"As capacity has been reduced on board we need to increase the number of trips we are running in order to safely cater to the growing need for bus travel once again.

" The safety of our customers and employees remains our top priority. With the extensive measures we have taken and the support of our passengers, they can be confident our buses will continue to be clean and safe and we look forward to welcoming them on board."