BUS passengers will at last be able to use the same ticket on trips with both Oxford's bus companies.

The new 'Plus Pass' will offer people unlimited travel on more than 200 buses when it is finally introduced on Sunday, after years of pressure from city councillors.

Councillors have been trying to get a joint bus pass introduced for years and finally got their way when a deal was struck between Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach Oxford.

Cllr Alex Hollingsworth said: "We have been trying to get some joint ticketing for years. We have two bus companies who are interested in public transport as a public service."

Jonathan Radley, marketing manager of Oxford Bus Company, added: "This is a very important step forward. It shows both ourselves and Stagecoach Oxford working together for the passengers' benefit."

The joint bus ticket, which costs £8.50 for seven days, £15 for a fortnight and £28 for 28 days, gives unlimited travel on buses. It will go to more than 30 destinations around Oxford within zones A and B, where both companies run services. They include all areas within Oxford city, plus Kidlington and Kennington. But they exclude Abingdon, Bicester and Witney.

Cllr Hollingsworth wants to see Witney and Bicester eventually included in the Plus Pass scheme.

He said: "It is extremely important that people travelling from Witney and Bicester are able to get their bus into the city centre and hop off to Headington or somewhere on the same ticket."

David Whitley, marketing manager for Stagecoach Oxford, said the new ticket would give passengers far more choice and should be a great success. He said he was delighted the two companies were able to come together to improve services.

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