Football Special Bus (OX2/OX3/OX7)

Just an update from Saturday, the OX7 bus I was on was very busy, with some kids having to stand in the aisles. I imagine if we had won we would have definitely needed more capacity for the next game, but as we've lost, it's likely the home crowd will dip again. Very close to capacity on the buses though this season by the looks of it...
 
Tis not as simple as "running another bus".
The service provider has to log a plan with council/transport officialdom and it will take weeks to amend it.
Then there is the issue of having sufficient drivers with enough hours to drive it (taking into account the new "game end time").

Its one of many reasons folk think "Fudge it I`ll take the car.........."
 
They have definitely run additional buses in the past for one-off games. It may be that that had been the plan from the start of the season and therefore all the things you mention had already been accounted for, but it's certainly been possible in the past. If we're saying it's not possible this season full stop, then that is a deterioration in the service we've had in the past.
 
For regular users, why not issue a card like a season ticket / bus pass to show to the driver at the beginning of the season to get priority on the bus, ie, would save problem some had recently at Botley with the bus coming in near full from Witney.
 
Bath Yellow said:
For regular users, why not issue a card like a season ticket / bus pass to show to the driver at the beginning of the season to get priority on the bus, ie, would save problem some had recently at Botley with the bus coming in near full from Witney.
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How does that work then? If you you show your priority pass trying to get on at Botley and non priority passholder from Witney has to get off? 🤷‍♂️
 
For a couple of years now, the OX3 bus has been at (over) capacity, even for evening games. A second bus should have been put in place last season, then the club should have advertised the buses heavily, on social media and the PA system, to make the second bus more cost effective. The introduction of the £2 bus cap was the perfect time to do this as travel was always likely to shift to the buses.

The problem now is that of the 25-30 people stranded in Botley, 15 of them will now make alternative arrangements so they don't get burnt again, then the justification of not running a second bus will be "not enough demand" (there is).

The club should put on a second bus, potentially make a loss in the first week, but a half time announcement from Nathan Cooper mentioning the extra buses and the towns they stop at would make it cost effective.

Play it right, and these buses could even be used to prove that large amount of supporters will use the bus, strengthening that argument for the stadium.
 
LeftSideLarry said:
It’s an important distinction, don’t you think?
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Not really.

The club are involved in the decision as much as the bus company.

The club pay the bus company.
The club have acces to ticket sales information.
The club have access to the addresses of those who have purchased tickets.
The club provide the complimentary tickets for the drivers.
 
CCYellow said:
Not really.

The club are involved in the decision as much as the bus company.

The club pay the bus company.
The club have acces to ticket sales information.
The club have access to the addresses of those who have purchased tickets.
The club provide the complimentary tickets for the drivers.
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Are you talking about the London Road Club or the match day buses?
 
QR said:
How does that work then? If you you show your priority pass trying to get on at Botley and non priority passholder from Witney has to get off? 🤷‍♂️
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Good point, didnt think of that one as the same amount would still get on at Witney
 
Bath Yellow said:
Good point, didnt think of that one as the same amount would still get on at Witney
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Pre booking your place on the bus is the only way. They do it on the airline busses so why can't they do it with the football busses. Obviously people can still use it the old fashioned way but priority would be to ones who pre book. Could offer a season ticket too for the bus.

The club and bus companies need to work together to prepare for the shift of bus travel to the triangle so why not do it now so fans habits change. Not everyone is getting on a train to the triangle so we will need loads more busses transporting fans to and from.
 
OX14 said:
Could offer a season ticket too for the bus.
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Would have been a perfect opportunity to trial something this year along with season tickets, have an option to add a travel pass for a discounted amount, the bus company win because it's guaranteed income, and the football club win because they can scream to the rooftops about how they're already encouraging sustainable travel as best they can at our current ground.

Would also offer the added benefit of some kind of understanding of the expected capacity as I would hazard a guess that a reasonable proportion of users are also season ticket holders.
 
The club has negotiated an additional bus for the OX3 route for the next few Saturdays, starting this week. They will then review.
In addition you my have seen that essential repairs are being carried out at the A34 Botley Interchange overnight on many evenings over the next six weeks. Tonight, when we play MK Dons and on Tuesday 3rd October when Shrewsbury are the visitors National Highways have agreed that closures and work will not commence until 11pm to minimise disruption to fans returning after the games.
 
OUSP Secretary said:
The club has negotiated an additional bus for the OX3 route for the next few Saturdays, starting this week. They will then review.
In addition you my have seen that essential repairs are being carried out at the A34 Botley Interchange overnight on many evenings over the next six weeks. Tonight, when we play MK Dons and on Tuesday 3rd October when Shrewsbury are the visitors National Highways have agreed that closures and work will not commence until 11pm to minimise disruption to fans returning after the games.
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What about the OX2 that’s from Didcot
 
OUSP Secretary said:
The club has negotiated an additional bus for the OX3 route for the next few Saturdays, starting this week. They will then review.
In addition you my have seen that essential repairs are being carried out at the A34 Botley Interchange overnight on many evenings over the next six weeks. Tonight, when we play MK Dons and on Tuesday 3rd October when Shrewsbury are the visitors National Highways have agreed that closures and work will not commence until 11pm to minimise disruption to fans returning after the games.
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Great news.

Can this information be announced by Nathan Cooper pre kick off, at half time and at full time, please? So that it reaches as many people as possible, and therefore having a second bus remains viable.
 
I noticed the OX2 was full leaving the ground on Saturday so may have left some people at stops on route to the stadium before the game.

Another route that could do with an additional bus if our attendances keep rising.
 
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