How to improve bus services in Oxfordshire - readers have their say

We asked readers on the newspaper’s Facebook page: “What improvements would you like to see to Oxfordshire’s buses?”

This followed the county council’s cabinet Cabinet backing a bid to secure £56m from the government’s £3 billion National Bus Strategy fund.

Passenger numbers in Oxfordshire, which had been in decline between 2014 and 2019, were hit by the impact of the pandemic and investment is needed to reverse this trend, and to transform the Oxfordshire bus offer.

READ AGAIN: Botley murder victim named by police

JASON TONG: "Frequency and punctuality - buses in Oxford are a disaster.”

DAWN PAINTING: “Bring back the buses that actually go past schools so kids don’t have to walk down roads on their own.”

LAURA SIMPSON: “I’m learning to drive to finally get off buses! I’ve had enough of sitting in front of someone coughing and spluttering. I can get that in my own car from my kids thanks.”

MATHEW JONES: “Buses that are on time and know the way from one place to the other.”

ORIOL MAZARIEGOS: “Everything, frequency, punctuality, better routes connecting non city centre areas between them, comfortable buses, cheaper prices, remove potholes from driveways.”

JESS HOLDSWORTH: “Probably not driving into people’s houses.”

SAM CURRAN: “What - so people can cough all over each other? Not on my watch.”

DAWN MARIE: “Reduce fares, and make it cheaper to drive and park when there is more than one person.”

OLIVER COLLINS: “Bring back the Pick Me Up service.”

JOANNE BENHAM: “Happy bus drivers.”

GOWHARA NOOR: “Hybrid or electric.”

MARIA KIGOZI: “If those buses will be on time, and run frequently.”

CHRIS WHITTINGTON: “The bus service from Abingdon to Oxford is excellent,up the Oxford Road, I cannot complain - it’s near enough every 10 minutes.”

RADOST ATANSOVA: “The buses to be on time, not having to wait long and then six arriving at the same time.”

RICHARD RANSFORD: “How about having a bus service that does not help you share Covid?

“The doctors say in an enclosed area with someone with Covid you will get Covid, vaccine or not. Right now one in 10 kids and one in 60 adults have it. Buses just are not that safe.”

KATHERINE RICHARDS: “Make it cheaper!! It’s cheaper to drive and park than use a bus. Make it free for more children.”

LIZ LIDDIARD: “More frequent buses to all the hospitals.”

ZARAH MORWELL-NEAVE: “Bring back the number 64 Swindon to Carterton bus.”

JAMES WEBB: “Standard of driving.”

READ MORE: Road may be closed while bus is removed from home

STEVEN JESSUP: “Be nice if they turned up on time - if they turn up at all.”

ANDY MORRIS: “Not stopping at the bus stop opposite the BP in Abingdon and blocking the road when the lights have just turned green.”

KIMBERLEY HERMON: “Grove-Abingdon frequently. Grove-JR hospital. Grove-Churchill Hospital. Not just at one bus stop, but driving past all bus stops. It would be good to have those routes run down Newlands Drive in Grove.”

JENNIFER YERBURY: “Banbury to Oxford hospitals.”

MARTIN HAZELL: “Stagecoach drivers are really polite - it’s a pity Oxford Bus Company are not the same.”

DEAN GILES: “There’s a little stick at the side of the steering wheel, it goes up and down to indicate when you’re stopping and when you’re pulling out on other road users.”

PAUL MILES: “Actually having a bus service would be nice.”

TRUDY PONT: “Having the 4b doing Oxford to Abingdon.”

Read more: Villagers disappointed after plans for 80 homes are approved

PAUL MCGINN: “More passengers wearing masks.”

MATE KOLICS: “Sorting the 3A service out. It has never been on time. Last week it was half an hour late.”

TIM DOWD: “Decent pay and conditions for drivers would be a good start.”

ALAN BRAIN: “They already get well paid for being grumpy and never having change.”

TIM DOWD: “I drove for Oxford bus for nearly 10 years then five years in Dorset/Devon so I know exactly what driving a bus is about - including driving a bus fully loaded down Morrell Avenue in peak time during fair week.”