How Oxford is leading the way in decarbonising bus travel

Making buses greener

£82.5m investment

159 electric buses

electrification of 2 depots

Oxford is leading the way in decarbonising bus travel. Find out more about this pioneering project.

Turning Oxford's buses green

When deliveries are complete in the Autumn of 2024, 159 brand new electric buses will be in service in Oxford, covering all bus routes running wholly within the SmartZone area (representing approximately 2/3 of bus mileage in Oxford) and will form the largest electric fleet per capita in the country.

The new buses are high specification and feature a brand-new livery, for the first time common between both of Oxford’s operators.

Background

In March 2022, the Council was awarded £32.8 million from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme. Along with £6m from the Council itself and £43.7m from bus companies Stagecoach and the Go-Ahead Group, the scheme will deliver 159 electric buses in total, with the first buses delivered in November 2023, 79 of these are already in service (as at June 24). It has also funded the associated charging infrastructure at both Oxford based depots. All Go Ahead buses are being charged using renewable energy.

What next?

Whilst there are no immediate plans for introducing further alternative fuel vehicles, this remains an aspiration for the future subject to available funding.

No items found.

Go back

Explore other ways we're improving your bus services

More buses! New and enhanced bus services

Separately and working together as a partnership, the County Council and bus operators have invested in maintaining and developing the county’s bus network over recent years.

Cheaper and better value fares

As well as the £2 national fare cap scheme, bus passengers in Oxfordshire benefit from further great fare offers.

Making buses easier to access and understand

What we're doing to help improve access to, and information on, local bus services.