PASSENGERS using a John Radcliffe Hospital park-and-ride bus claim it takes away the anxiety of visiting the hospital and is one of the best examples of public transport in Oxford.

The 700 service from Water Eaton has been hailed a success after transporting 13,600 people to Headington in its first two months - more than 300 a day.

Although about 4,500 people visit the JR every day, there are only 445 patient parking spaces.

The four car parks are also barrier-controlled and while free for 30 minutes, the cost rises to £10 for a stay of 10 to 12 hours.

As a result, there have been many complaints, and last week we reported that the problem was prompting volunteer drivers to turn down jobs to the hospital. The Water Eaton bus link, launched on January 15 to coincide with the opening of the JR's West Wing and the Oxford Children's Hospital, has helped patients and visitors avoid the search for parking.

Running every 15 minutes, from 6.30am to 7pm, it takes 15 to 20 minutes to reach the hospital four miles away.

Passenger Richard Sanson, of Woodstock, said: "It's an absolute doddle to park at Water Eaton, compared to the JR. We wouldn't get to the JR in 10 minutes from here in the car either.

"It's very handy and one of the best examples of public transport I've seen."

Frank Slater, 77, of Kidlington, received information about route 700 with his hospital appointment.

He said: "You can get to the JR in about 15 minutes - it's quicker taking the bus than trying to find a parking space at the JR.

"When it's critical time-wise, because you have an appointment, it just reduces the anxiety. It's also a lot cheaper."

Even people who do not drive have found the park-and-ride more convenient.

Hospital League of Friends volunteer Peggy Slater, of Kidlington, said: "I come on it, because otherwise I have to get a bus into Oxford centre and then walk to St Aldate's and get another bus to the hospital.

"It's also free, because I'm a pensioner."

The bus link is run by RH Transport under a contract with Oxfordshire County Council, and is subsidised by the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust.

It operates from Monday to Friday and costs £2 for an adult return ticket.

On its route via Banbury Road and Marston Ferry Road, it also picks up and drops passengers at Jordan Hill, Five Mile Drive, Upland Park Road, Squitchey Lane, Hamilton Road, Summertown shops and Ferry Pool.

ORH spokesman Elika Saedi said the route had proved so popular managers were now looking at a similar service from the Thornhill park-and-ride site.

She said: "The uptake has exceeded expectations and staff, patients and visitors are all using the service.

"Currently, the Thornhill park-and-ride 600 service just goes to the Churchill Hospital and the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, while we run a peak-time only service for staff from there, which goes directly to the JR.

"The plan for the future is to have one comprehensive and frequent service operating across Headington."