New and returning bus routes aim to make matchday travel easier for Oxford supporters
Football fans across Oxfordshire will have seven dedicated matchday bus services to the Kassam Stadium this season after Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel confirmed routes linking towns and suburbs to Grenoble Road.
The services, which are being run by operators within the Go Thames Valley group, will resume for Oxford United’s League One campaign starting with the club’s first home fixture on Saturday 15 August. The announcement means supporters across the city and county will be able to travel to home matches without needing to rely on cars or matchday parking.
Thames Travel will operate the OX1, OX2 and OX5 services, connecting Wantage, Grove, Abingdon, Didcot and Bicester with the stadium. It will also run the OX3 and OX4 services to link fans from Carterton, Brize Norton, Witney, Eynsham, Botley and Burford. Oxford Bus Company will oversee the OX7 route, which serves Kidlington, Summertown, Marston, Headington and Cowley, while continuing the OX8 that runs direct from Chinnor, Thame, Wheatley, Thornhill Park & Ride and Risinghurst.
| Route | Main places served | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| OX1 | Wantage, Grove, Abingdon | Thames Travel |
| OX2 | Didcot, Bicester | Thames Travel |
| OX3 / OX4 | Carterton, Brize Norton, Witney, Eynsham, Botley, Burford | Thames Travel |
| OX7 | Kidlington, Summertown, Marston, Headington, Cowley | Oxford Bus Company |
| OX8 | Chinnor, Thame, Wheatley, Thornhill Park & Ride, Risinghurst | Oxford Bus Company |
The move reflects both demand from supporters and wider government-backed measures to make bus travel cheaper. As part of a national initiative, the current adult fare cap of £3 will be reduced to £2 from January, lowering the cost of travelling to home matches by bus for the second half of the season.
- Children aged 5 to 15 will travel free across Go Thames Valley services during August, including matchday buses, under a government scheme.
- Seven Football Special routes will link towns across Oxfordshire to the Kassam Stadium for the new League One season.
- Adult fare cap will fall from £3 to £2 in January.
“We’re pleased to continue our excellent partnership with Oxford United to provide our Football Special services this season. The demand from fans wanting to travel sustainably on matchdays remains high, and these buses provide an important link between communities across Oxfordshire and the Kassam Stadium,”
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Go Thames Valley, described the services as an important link for communities across Oxfordshire. He also highlighted the free travel for children in August and welcomed the forthcoming £2 fare cap as further encouragement for supporters to choose the bus.
For many households in Oxford and the surrounding towns, the return of these routes will change the matchday equation. Driving to Grenoble Road frequently involves paying for parking and coping with traffic on the A34 and surrounding roads; the Football Specials offer a predictable, low-cost alternative that concentrates fans on public transport and away from the stadium’s immediate access routes.
Local residents who rely on matchday services to visit friends and family, or who prefer a sustainable way to attend fixtures, will see practical benefits. The August free-travel scheme for children also lowers the cost barrier for families wanting to attend the opening match of the season, when Oxford United host MK Dons.
Exact timetables, pick-up points and any special matchday boarding arrangements will be published by the operators ahead of fixtures. Supporters are advised to check the Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel websites for full details and any updates before travelling.
