MORE THAN 1,000 RESIDENTS TOOK A TOUR OF THEIR OWN CITY VIA FREE CITY SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS OF OXFORD

Oxford residents embraced the opportunity to be a tourist in their own city, thanks to a free tour on the City Sightseeing open-top bus.

More than 1,000 residents took advantage of the special offer provided through a partnership between Oxford Bus Company, Oxford City Council, and the Oxford Mail as part of the #RediscoverOxford campaign. The campaign spearheaded by Oxford City Council was designed to encourage people to visit Oxford city centre to help kickstart the economy as part of recovery from COVID-19.

Residents who cut out a free voucher from the Oxford Mail or completed the Oxford - My Treasure Island art project, enjoyed a one-hour open top bus tour of Oxford. The City Sightseeing tour, operated by Oxford Bus Company, takes in the city’s famous sites, including the Oxford Castle, Christ Church College, Magdalen Bridge, Sheldonian Theatre, and Ashmolean Museum.

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said: “We’re proud to take part in the important Rediscover Oxford campaign. It has been great to have been able to give something back to the local community who have been through such a tough time. The tourism and leisure industries are vital parts of Oxfordshire’s economy and it is important key stakeholders continue to work together for the overall good of the city. We received some fantastic feedback from those who enjoyed the tour and it’s nice to have shown so many people another side of their city.”

Oxford City Council Councillor Mary Clarkson, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Covered Market and Culture, said: “We’re hugely thankful to the Oxford Bus Company and the Oxford Mail for providing this free offer and giving Oxford residents the opportunity to be a tourist in their own city. There is so much for Oxford residents to see and do in their city centre – especially now that the museums are reopening. Even though the offer has now finished, sitting upstairs on a double-decker bus and receiving a guided tour is a great way to start that experience.”

Oxford Bus Company are maintaining an enhanced cleaning and hygiene regime across its entire fleet, with a greater focus on high touch areas. Reduced vehicle capacities are in place to help maintain social distancing and customers are asked to use contactless payment or purchase tickets from apps. All City Sightseeing vehicles and their commentary systems are cleaned at the end of each tour.

In a further update George Street will be re-opening to buses from September 21^st. It follows the end of an agreed trial period which saw the street temporarily pedestrianised to encourage visitors to its bars and restaurants. Plans are being made to restore bus services to their previous stops from this date.