Oxford Tube services increasing from Monday 31st August

OXFORD TUBE SERVICES TO INCREASE FROM MONDAY 31ST AUGUST 2020

• Oxford Tube frequency to increase to up to every 10 minutes in morning peaks
• 24/7 service between Oxford and London set to return
• Popular commuter express services via Baker Street reinstated
• Reduced capacity and social distancing measures remain in line with government guidelines

Oxford Tube services between Oxford and London will be increasing from Monday 31st August to provide an improved frequency for commuters and visitors to the cities.

The uplift will see the frequency from Oxford to London increase to up to every 10 minutes during peak times Monday to Friday and up to every 12 minutes at weekends. Night services from London will also see additional journeys, providing a frequency of up to every 15 minutes on weekends.

The express services which run direct between Thornhill P&R and Baker Street on weekdays will also be reinstated. Four morning express journeys will run via Baker Street, providing an onward connection with Marylebone’s underground stations; a welcome return for commuters to the city.

Towards Oxford, five express journeys will operate (two in the morning, three in the afternoon) to give fast-tracked journeys from London.

The Oxford Tube was re-introduced on Monday 6th July with a reduced temporary timetable. Although frequent departures were maintained in the peaks, the revised service will see an additional 388* journeys between Oxford and London every week.

Coaches are currently operating with a reduced capacity and therefore the increase in departures will ensure sufficient capacity is in place as the economy reopens.

Chris Coleman, Managing Director at Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, which manages the Oxford Tube, said: “Since the Oxford Tube service resumed on Monday 6th July, we have seen passenger numbers steadily rise week on week as people begin to return to work and confidence grows in the safety of public transport. With the school holidays now underway and London’s museums and attractions reopening it is the right time to increase the frequency of our service to cater for increased demand.

“Social distancing measures remain in place on our coaches; this includes the mandatory wearing of face coverings for passengers, reduced capacity and a zig-zag seating formation advising passengers to leave the seat next to and behind other passengers empty. Hand sanitisers have also been fitted onboard and we continue to thoroughly clean each vehicle, including touch point cleaning, at the end of each journey.

“We want to reassure customers that they can travel safely with the Oxford Tube should they wish to visit the capital’s museums, parks and retail spaces as they reopen.”

A full timetable is available at www.oxfordtube.com