A consortium made up of Oxford Bus Company, Oxfordshire County Council and Stagecoach secured an £82.5m deal in January 2023.

This was a key part of the wider Oxfordshire Enhanced Bus Partnership to deliver the electric vehicles, along with the necessary charging equipment to support them.

The council was awarded £32.8m from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, with a further £43.7m coming from the bus companies and £6m from the council itself.

READ MORE: MP meets hotel chain bosses following assault case

The scheme has now been named the winner of the Best Public Transport Decarbonisation Award at the inaugural Decarbonising Transport Awards.

Representatives from Oxford Bus Company, Oxfordshire County Council and Stagecoach travelled to London to receive the award during a ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel near Hyde Park.

An electric bus (Image: Fortitude Communications)

The Decarbonising Transport Awards are judged by an independent panel of experts from across the transport and environment sectors, and the move towards electric buses was described by organisers as “an excellent example of building on government funding to deliver a wide range of benefits”.

Last month, provisional data suggested that roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations across Oxford reduced by an average of 10 per cent from 2023 to 2024.

That figure was as high as 24 per cent in areas of high bus traffic such as High Street and St Aldates. Each electric bus delivers significant environmental benefits, including zero tailpipe emissions.

The analysis by the Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Teams, in partnership with Oxford University, investigated air and noise pollution changes before, during and after the introduction of battery electric buses in Oxford.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company (Image: Fortitude Communications)

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “This partnership is delivering exactly what it set out to do, so it’s therefore pleasing to see it get the recognition it deserves.

“Electric buses are making a significant difference when it comes to reducing emissions and improving air quality in Oxford.

“The community continues to benefit from this progressive initiative, demonstrating what is possible when key stakeholders are aligned and have a shared vision.”

Dave Harrison, the county council’s public transport team leader, said: “The introduction of 159 electric buses in Oxford has saved 7,233 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and has also resulted in a 24 per cent reduction in roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations, reduction in city noise, and measurable health and economic benefits for residents.

“We’re thrilled that all the parties involved have been recognised with this award, and even more pleased with how popular the vehicles are with passengers – and the fact that there are now even more on the road thanks to our partnership with the bus operators.”

Oxford Bus Company ordered 104 Wrightbus Electroliner vehicles, consisting of 91 double-decker, five single-decker and eight open-top vehicles, as part of the initial investment, while 104 charging points were installed at the Cowley House depot.

Stagecoach secured 55 vehicles from manufacturer Alexander Dennis, with the same number of chargers installed at their Network Oxford site.

Chris Hanson, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: “This award is a fantastic recognition of what can be achieved when operators and local authorities work together with a clear, shared ambition.

“The results we’re now seeing are incredibly encouraging, and this milestone is just the beginning.”

Oxford Bus Company recently announced that an additional 13 new electric buses are taking to Oxfordshire’s roads following an investment of more than £5.1m.

The Go-Ahead Group, the parent business of the Oxford Bus Company, spent £3.9m, with an additional £1.2m investment from the county council via its Vehicle Improvement Fund grant scheme.

The buses, produced by Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis, will be serving the 35 route to Abingdon, 46 to Great Milton, ST2 to Wytham, and the 21 service between Bicester and Chesterton.

More than 70,000 drivers across the UK were penalised between 2023 and 2025, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Confused.com.

The offence carries a £200 fine and up to six penalty points on a driving licence.

Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com, said: “Using your mobile phone when driving is not only illegal, but it can be dangerous for people in the car, on the roads, and pedestrians.

“While it could seem innocent to quickly go on your phone if your car is in traffic or at a standstill, it’s not worth the risk.”

Hotspots for drivers using their mobile phones

The highest number of fines were issued by Greater Manchester Police, with 11,987 penalties totalling more than £2.3 million.

Police Scotland handed out 7,107 fines, amounting to £1,421,400, and the Metropolitan Police issued 7,000 fines, equivalent to £1.4 million.

Enforcement peaked in 2024, with 27,712 drivers fined in that year alone.

Despite the strict penalties, mobile phone use behind the wheel remains widespread.

A separate OnePoll.com survey found that 59% of drivers admitted to using their phone while driving, with those aged 25 to 44 most likely to do so. Of those, 54% admitted to the behaviour.

The survey revealed that 22% of drivers had physically held their phone while driving, and 37% had interacted with it for activities such as reading messages or adjusting apps.

The most common reasons for phone use were answering calls (42%) and using navigation apps (40%).

Nearly half of drivers (48%) said they felt comfortable using their phone when stationary at traffic lights or in standstill traffic.

A further 26% admitted to using their phone in start-stop traffic.

A spokesperson for Confused.com said: “The findings showed phone use had become a routine habit for many drivers.

“While you are allowed to use your phone for navigation, it is a legal requirement to pull over wherever it is safe and turn off the engine if you need to make adjustments.

“Otherwise, even touching your phone can result in receiving fines or points.”

Most offenders (81%) were spotted by a police officer, while 26% were caught using AI camera technology.

The fine for using a mobile phone while driving can rise to £1,000 if the driver is prosecuted.

Most drivers who had been caught admitted to being penalised twice on average for the offence.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, has been charged with stockpiling weapons, explosives and a suicide vest at his family home.

From Didcot, he appeared at the Old Bailey in London today (Friday, April 24) with his trial now scheduled for next January, although that may change.

READ MORE: Health trust pledges ‘learnings’ after young woman’s drug death

He is also accused of supporting IS and is suspected of sharing its propaganda on terrorist attacks as well as footage of battlefield explosions and killings.

His home was raided by counter-terrorism police on March 12.

The Old Bailey in London (Image: Nick Ansell/PA)

The boy, who converted to Islam as a teenager, is said to have had swords in his possession as well as homemade explosives.

He faces seven terrorism charges including over the alleged possession of a suicide vest.

He was not asked to enter any pleas during the hearing.

READ MORE: Village stalker gets restraining order in court

According to the charges, it is said he sent a video “containing footage of Islamic State” to another person in November last year and the following month shared a “battlefield video containing footage of Islamic State”.

He is also accused of possessing extracts of IS manual Inspire 1, extracts of a document called 100 Deadly Skills, a suicide vest, a selection of knives and swords, and “homemade improvised explosive devices”.

The teenager faces two counts of disseminating a terrorist publication, three counts of possessing an article for the purpose of terrorism, and two charges of possessing material that may be of use for terrorist purposes.