A PROTEST will be held on New Years Day in attempt to stop a popular bus service being axed.

In November, Oxfordshire County Council announced that many bus routes would be axed on January 2 to 'secure services' after the 'unprecedented challenges' the pandemic caused.

The cuts, that will affect both Stagecoach and Oxford Bus Company Services, are blamed on lower passenger numbers than usual, a reduction in government funding, and a national shortage of driving staff.

One of the services affected is Stagecoach’s number 16 bus route, that supports travel from Minchery Farm to the city centre.

An online petition to save the bus route, started by residents in Cowley and Florence Park, has now received over 1,200 signatures.

On New Years Day, at 18.45, residents will meet at the Jolly Postboys, Florence Park Road, to greet the ‘last’ bus timetabled to stop at 18.56 by singing their protest song "Bring Back My 16 to Me" and greeting the driver with a box of chocolates.

Caroline Raine, who lives on Church Cowley Road and helped organise the protest said: "People were concerned because the route it follows is pretty much a lifeline to a lot of people.

“It may not be the most well-used bus route, but it’s used a lot by elderly people, disabled people, carers and people getting to the places that there is no other way to get to for particular journeys.

“For example, going from the Cowley area to swim at Hinksey Park Pool, which is very important to a lot of people, and it provided a direct link to do that.”

The campaigner added that residents were 'disappointed' that they were not consulted prior to the decision being made.

Rachel Gelimassi, Managing Director at Stagecoach West, said that the decision was made in conjunction with the county council due to low passenger numbers.

She added that even with additional Government funding the service is loosing around 16 per cent of its operating costs.

She said:"We recognise that these changes will affect our customers in the area and, where possible, have worked with the county council to find solutions for these valued passengers.

"For example, Service 20 offers the opportunity for passengers to interchange at Cowley Centre on weekdays. Alternative services are also available from Cowley Road.”

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Highways Management said: “In one four-week period in late 2021, data showed that the 16 was operating with 33 per cent fewer passengers than the same period in 2019.

“It is understood that revenue from fares is only making up 65 per cent of the cost of the service at the present time – and in 2019 was only making up 80 per cent.

"The chance therefore of the service ever reaching commercial viability is small."

In attempt to ease the pressures, after the number 16 service stops running, Oxford Bus Company city5A service will begin replacing elements of the Stagecoach number 16 service.

It will operate every 30 minutes on Mondays to Saturdays, and every 60 minutes on Sundays between Minchery Farm, Templars Square, Cowley Road and Oxford City Centre.

Florence Park is covered by the revised Oxford Bus Company city20 service on a more limited basis and Donnington Bridge Road is served by the Thames Travel service ST1.

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director said: “We have introduced some new services to help maintain some connectivity for residents in the Littlemore and Cowley area.

“Minchery Farm residents can still access Abingdon Road, Iffley Road and Donnington Surgery by changing buses at The Plain or at High Street. While people travelling from Littlemore can catch the 3A direct to Iffley Road and change in the City for Abingdon Road. 

"We appreciate there are a lot of changes to services to digest and would recommend passengers visit operator websites for more details.

"Oxfordshire County Council took a proactive approach to supporting bus operators to stabilise the network in what are very challenging times for the public transport industry.”