Oxford's congestion charge is forecast to rake in £2 million more than previously expected, a new report reveals ahead of decisions on how to spend the cash.
The surplus income for the scheme is now anticipated to hit £5.2 million by August 2026, having previously been anticipated to be £3.2 million over the 10-month period.
Next week, Oxfordshire's cabinet will decide how to distribute the funds raised by fines and £5 daily fees generated from the cameras around Oxford.
It has been recommended to extend free park and ride (P&R) ahead of a transition to a £3 combined parking and bus ticket "as soon as practically possible" after June 1.
At its May 19 meeting, the cabinet will vote on the new pricing for P&R, which would be a 50p price increase on its current offer.
The £3 combined tickets are intended to cover 16 hours of parking and return bus travel for up to five people.
Subsidising this for 7.5 months between August 16 and March 31 is anticipated to cost over £1.4 million.
Plans for free Park and Ride and free or discounted bus travel for NHS employees (all year) as well as state and private school employees (term-time only) is "subject to further discussion with NHS trusts, schools and Oxford City Council".
It has been allocated £840,000 in the report.
Hospital express P&R services for a year are anticipated to cost £1 million.
The report states council officers considered offering "universal city or countywide fare reductions were considered instead of the park and ride offers".
However, it said these are "not feasible due to the very high costs".
It suggested a countywide £2 fare cap could cost £9 million per year and a £2.50 cap £5.75 million.
The cost of a £1 single fare cap within the Oxford SmartZone was estimated as £15.5 million per year.
The report adds: "Much smaller universal fare discounts could be offered within the available budget, but are considered unlikely to significantly increase bus use."
This comes after the standing down of transport boss Andrew Gant, who had overseen the introduction of the hotly debated policy.
Recently, the scheme faced criticism over "misleading signage" and inaccurate data.
On Mr Gant's departure, some business and transport campaign groups had expressed a hope for a policy "U-turn" from his replacement, Rebekah Fletcher (Lib Dem).
The congestion charge is set to become traffic filters after the reopening of Botley Road in August as part of the council's local transport and connectivity plan.
A spokesperson for the authority suggests a policy change is unlikely, stating "our plan sets out to achieve this by reducing the need to travel and private car use through making walking, cycling, public and shared transport the natural first choice".
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