Oxford congestion charge plan to spend £5M confirmed

On Tuesday, May 19, a decision was made on how to spend the £5.2 million anticipated income from the 10-month scheme.

The council is set 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.

This new P&R pricing would be a 50p price increase on its current offer.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Luke Marion, managing director of the Oxford Bus Company, said he felt the price increase is “not necessary at this time” but said the company would accept it and “welcomed” the planned spending plan.

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”.

Other spending options were considered by council officers, including “universal city or countywide fare reductions were considered instead of the park and ride offers”.

The cabinet report stated 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.”

The decision comes a week after the resignation of the council’s former transport boss, Andrew Gant.

Councillor Andrew Gant (Image: Esme Kenney)

Some business groups had hoped for a U-turn in the policy from his replacement, Rebekah Fletcher.

This currently looks unlikely, and several councillors paid tribute to Mr Gant during the cabinet meeting, including Sean Gaul and Gareth Epps (both Lib Dems).

Ms Fletcher noted that the plans approved at the cabinet meeting had been proposed before she took the job.

Cllr Fletcher (Image: OCC)

She said: “The proposals align with local transport policy.

“It’s generally positive in terms of equality and climate impacts.

“Overall these proposals have been shaped by the consultation, citizens assembly and the need to meet both equality and climate objectives.”

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.