OXFORD BUS COMPANY SERVICES READY TO SUPPORT RETURN TO SCHOOL

Oxford Bus Company has announced service updates to support the re-opening of schools in the county. Schools fully reopen on Monday as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease in the UK.

It will reintroduce its city35A school service from Monday March 8, to support pupils returning to the Matthew Arnold School. Additionally, the city3B and 35A school services will be operating slightly later in the morning to align with Matthew Arnold School’s revised opening times.

Extra capacity will be added to the U1 service at key times, operating between High Street, Oxford, and Wheatley campus for school children. This is designed to further support social distancing measures as demand for services increase. Minor timetable changes will also be made to city 4A and city4C services between Abingdon and Oxford on Mondays to Fridays.

The changes being introduced this weekend are modest, as most Oxford Bus Company services have continued to operate to the same times on Mondays to Fridays as they did prior to the latest lockdown being announced in December to aid social distancing.

Passengers are advised to check operators’ websites for full details before planning journeys. Oxford Bus Company continues to maintain extensive cleaning regimes and high levels of hygiene to protect the health and well-being of passengers and colleagues.

Phil Southall, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “Most of our services will continue as normal, as we have operated high frequencies to aid social distancing throughout the latest lockdown to ensure that the bus remains an attractive option for key workers and essential travellers through lockdown. However, there are some changes to some services, and we would encourage passengers to check our website for full details.

“We are looking forward to welcoming people back on-board for travel to school and other essential travel. We understand some passengers may remain cautious and would like to reassure everyone that our highly effective intensive daily hygiene regimes remain in place."