Oxfordshire County Council Raises MyBus Ticket Prices by 57 Percent

Oxfordshire County Council will increase MyBus ticket prices by up to 57 percent starting August 1, 2026. The most significant hike affects young person day tickets, which will rise from £3.50 to £5.50. Other adjustments include a 41 percent increase for young person weekly tickets, a 31 percent rise for adult day tickets, and a 13 percent increase for adult weekly tickets.

The council attributes the price hikes to exhausted budgets and national government financial cuts. Officials noted that a January 2025 increase in the national single bus fare cap made MyBus more attractive, which subsequently increased costs for the local authority. Gareth Epps, the council's cabinet member for transport, described the changes as an unpalatable step necessary to maintain operator participation.

Go Thames Valley, formerly known as Oxford Bus Company, supported the move to ensure the long-term sustainability of the countywide scheme. The transport company also rebranded to Go Thames Valley this week to reflect a network encompassing Thames Travel, Carousel Buses, Pulhams, Pearces Coaches, and City Sightseeing Oxford. As part of the new pricing structure, a 28-day monthly ticket will be introduced by April 1.

To mitigate the impact, the council suggests passengers check individual operator fares. It also highlighted that the government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme may provide free travel in August for children aged five to 15.