It has been a long time coming, but long-awaited plans for joint bus ticketing and joint timetabling will finally be introduced in Oxford next month.

The city’s main bus operators and Oxfordshire County Council believe the move will cut hundreds of buses in central Oxford, a move that will be welcomed by pedestrians and traders alike, and ought to help ease traffic congestion.

The companies say the reduction will be achieved while delivering a better and more flexible bus service on the main routes in and out of the city. In effect, the introduction of the smart card

ticketing scheme will mean “one ticket, any bus” for passengers, with the city effectively being served by one large bus network.

Crucial to the success of the pioneering scheme will be the technology being installed on the buses. We hope and pray it proves up to this vital task.