MyBus tickets have made bus travel simpler, more flexible and better value for people across Oxfordshire. Since launching in 2024, the scheme has seen strong uptake - especially among young people - and has helped many residents and visitors travel more often by bus. Recent passenger feedback shows that MyBus is valued for its cost savings, convenience, and the ability to use the services of multiple bus companies with a single ticket.
The price changes are necessary to keep the scheme running in the face of rising costs and growing demand. We believe that most current users of MyBus will be able to purchase single operator tickets instead which may be cheaper than the new MyBus prices. For those travelling with multiple operators in a day/week the tickets will still represent good value for money. We apologise for any impact that this may have on bus passengers.
Alternative ticket options:
If you are affected by these ticket price increases, you may find that operator own ticket products - such as day or weekly tickets offered directly by bus companies - are cheaper for your particular journey(s). Please check with your local bus operator for the best value ticket for your travel needs.
Link to Stagecoach West fares page
Link to GoAhead Oxfordshire fares page
Link to Red Line and Red Rose fares page
We remain committed to supporting public transport and making it the natural first choice for travel in Oxfordshire. Thank you for your continued support of MyBus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why have the prices changed again?
Oxfordshire County Council receives financial support from UK government to, amongst other things, offer a countywide multi-operator ticketing scheme (MyBus). This funding has also enabled the tickets to be offered at reduced prices for the first two years of the scheme – creating great savings for passengers.
Due to the success of the scheme and the significant increase in ticket sales, particularly following the increase of the National Fare Cap from £2 to £3, this scheme is no longer financially sustainable at the current prices.
Without changes, the costs of the scheme are significantly higher than the funding available for 2026/27, the increases to weekly ticket prices in January 2026 were insufficient to reduce our overall costs. These revised prices are intended to secure the future of MyBus tickets, so that a simple and convenient multi-operator ticket for the whole of Oxfordshire and beyond can continue.
Q2. When will the new prices apply?
The new MyBus prices will apply from 1 August 2026. Information will be shared in advance, so passengers have time to consider the best ticket option for their journeys.
Q3. What are the new MyBus ticket prices?
The new prices are:
Adult day ticket £8.50;
Young Person (age 5-18 inclusive) day ticket £5.50;
Adult weekly ticket £34.00; and
Young Person weekly ticket £24.00.
Q4. Why is the Young Person ticket increasing?
The Young Person tickets have been particularly popular and remain an important part of the scheme. The increase is needed because the cost of supporting the current prices has grown significantly.
Even after the change, MyBus will continue to provide a good value multi-operator option for young people who need to travel on the services of more than one bus company.
Q5. Is MyBus still good value?
For many passengers, yes.
MyBus is designed for people who need the flexibility to travel on services run by more than one bus operator across Oxfordshire. It still offers good value where a journey involves more than one operator or where passengers want the simplicity of a countywide ticket. However, for many journeys on a single operator’s network or within the Oxford Smartzone, an alternative ticket may now be cheaper.
Q6. Should I still buy a MyBus ticket?
This depends on how you travel.
If you use more than one bus operator, or want the flexibility of a multi-operator ticket, MyBus may still be the best option. If you mainly travel with one bus company, you may wish to compare MyBus with that operator’s own day, weekly or other ticket products before buying.
Within the Oxford SmartZone, lower priced day and weekly tickets are available for use on Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel and Stagecoach services.
Q7. Why not keep prices lower by using more council funding?
The council has already used all available government bus funding to support MyBus and keep fares low for as long as possible. Given the pressure on council finances, we are unable to retain the current prices without reductions in other areas – such as the removal of support for vital bus services.
Demand has grown faster than expected, which means the cost of the scheme is now above the funding available. Increasing prices helps protect the future of the scheme while keeping it available to passengers and protecting the rest of the bus network – ultimately, a cheaper ticket is no use if there are no bus services to use it on.
Q8. Are bus operators responsible for the price increase?
No.
MyBus ticket prices are set by Oxfordshire County Council as part of the countywide multi-operator ticketing scheme. Operators participate in the scheme and are reimbursed for accepting MyBus tickets on their services on a no better nor worse off basis.
Q9. Will there be any further price changes?
The council will continue to monitor ticket sales, scheme costs and available funding for the scheme.
Further alterations may be considered as required to keep the scheme within budget, and these will be reviewed in light of these changes and any future national fares policy. Changes could include the introduction of associated fare offers where budgets permit.
Q10. Will there be a monthly MyBus ticket?
The council intends to introduce a 28-day MyBus ticket for adults and young people by 1 April 2027, in line with government Enhanced Partnership requirements. The prices will be confirmed nearer the time.
Q11. Why is this happening at a time when the Government are offering free bus travel for children and when the Oxford Traffic Filters are coming into effect?
The timing is purely co-incidental and, unfortunately, the decision to increase prices cannot be delayed without putting the council at significant financial risk.
The implementation of revised prices on 1 August means that the impact of the changes is reduced over the summer holidays, thanks to the Great British Summer Savings free bus fares scheme for 5-15 year olds (which applies from 1 to 31 August inclusive).
Q12. What if I have already bought a ticket before the price change?
Tickets bought before the price change will remain valid for the period for which they were purchased, subject to the normal terms and conditions of the ticket and the operator or app through which it was bought.
