COUNCILLORS from across the city have called on a bus company to ‘urgently reverse’ the decision to cut a bus service that is a ‘lifeline for many’.

From January 2 several bus services across the county will be cut due to low passenger numbers and a national shortage of bus drivers.

One of the bus services being cut is Stagecoach’s number 16 bus that serves passengers travelling from Minchery Farm, over Donnington Bridge and Abingdon Road, to the city centre.

Several Oxford City Councillors and Oxfordshire County Councillors penned an open letter to the leader of the county council Liz Leffman, the highways boss, Tim Bearder, as well as the local managers of Stagecoach and Oxford Bus Company, calling for the situation to be ‘urgently reviewed’.

In the letter, councillors said that the decision to cut the number 16 service will disproportionality affect those from lower-income backgrounds, young families, as well as the elderly and disabled.

Speaking on the issue, city councillor Amar Latif, who represents Cowley, and is a local GP said: “This service is a lifeline for many of the most vulnerable in our society and I have heard directly from many concerned residents.

“It is imperative that this decision is reviewed and the number 16 bus is reinstated.”

Echoing similar concerns, Oxfordshire County Council, Brad Baines, who represents Hinksey and Donnington area, said: "The planned scrapping of the number 16 route is extremely concerning.

"It was to the frustration to everyone affected and involved that there was no effective consultation or communication of the decision well in advance.

It also has significant impacts for everyone on the current routes."

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

Despite this, however, Mr Baines said the cuts have particular implications for residents of Donnington and South Oxford.

He said: "These residents will now effectively be cut off from access to Cowley Centre and the more affordable shops that are there.

"The suggestion from the bus company seems that people should pay to get a bus into town to then get to the Cowley centre - doubling or even tripling their journey time."

City councillor Naomi Waite, Hinksey Park Ward added: "The number 16 Bus is a crucial service that connects Oxford's thriving neighbourhoods.

"Without it our residents would be cut off from advice centres, baby and community groups, mental health services and specialist homes for the elderly, as well as the flourishing commercial and hospitality centres in East Oxford and Cowley."

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 said: “As a result of the pandemic, we have seen passenger numbers in the region drop significantly which has had a dramatic effect on our business. This has forced us to re-evaluate the services we are offering to ensure we can continue to operate in the county.

“Even with additional Government funding, Service 16 is consistently losing money – around 16 percent of operating costs. This means that it is no longer financially viable to continue, forcing us to take the difficult decision to suspend the service.

“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."

Cabinet Member for Highways Management, Tim Bearder, explained that during a four-week period in late 2021, data showed the service was operating with 33 per cent fewer passengers than the previous year.

He added: “The chance therefore of the service ever reaching commercial viability is small.

"As a public authority we recognise that reductions to any service will affect residents, often the most vulnerable and least able to adapt and it is always deeply unwelcome. 

"But we work within a system where the bus network is operated by commercially independent companies who are required to make decisions for the success of their businesses."

The cost of a replacement hourly service between Cowley Centre and the city centre via the Abingdon Road would cost £180,000 per annum - the council said it does not have a bus subsidy budget to pay for this.

Mr Bearder added: “The most important thing we can do as a highway authority is create a network which puts active travel and public transport first so that the city’s bus operators can run efficient and profitable services and so invest in increasing routes rather than reducing them.”

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.”