Travel Football Special Bus (OX2/OX3/OX7)

[Oxymoron]

There is a post on FB featuring this leaflet, allegedly for vehicles in the East Stand car park


Presumably a hoax, as there was the usual scrum to leave - not helped by the "strange" decision to park the buses in the only exit road and have hundreds of fans weaving in and out of the cars trying to leave

 

[LowerSouth]

Thanks for your helpful feedback. We will pass it all on.
We already pointed out that the Comms around the changed bus drop off/pick up points was insufficient, and clarity is needed for fans and traffic management. The bus picking up at the layby and going around the roundabout is the 3A, all of the football specials were supposed to pick up by the East car park/ hotel.

A steward stood by the previous return bus stops would have been useful .
They could have passed on the new location

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

The previous location seemed to work well, no need to change it.

 

[Marked Ox]

Thanks for your helpful feedback. We will pass it all on.
We already pointed out that the Comms around the changed bus drop off/pick up points was insufficient, and clarity is needed for fans and traffic management. The bus picking up at the layby and going around the roundabout is the 3A, all of the football specials were supposed to pick up by the East car park/ hotel.

The stewards in the East Stand Car Park weren't exactly sure was going on either. In the brief bit I saw, they adapted pretty well with the crowd crossing the road and the traffic on the fly.

 

[Carpy]

It makes no sense to me that they do what they did, you had people weaving in and out of cars and buses, would make a hell of a lot more sense had they got buses to park along the yellow line below, means people can exit the east stand car park and less people are playing chicken with traffic

 

[Sarge]

Thanks for your helpful feedback. We will pass it all on.
We already pointed out that the Comms around the changed bus drop off/pick up points was insufficient, and clarity is needed for fans and traffic management. The bus picking up at the layby and going around the roundabout is the 3A, all of the football specials were supposed to pick up by the East car park/ hotel.

'better' stewarding needed post match imo - with the berlin wall in place behind the North stand after most games, as well as hordes going from the northstand & east stand towards the Fence end carpark, also there's a fair amount from SSL /SSU heading the opposite way towards east stand CP & the narrow alleyway to Knights road behind North Stand , major point that needs better stewarding is between East Stand and South Stand, there were several near incidents there involving those with limited mobility being knocked off balance after yesterdays game, which luckily didn't result in anyone being knocked to the ground, sooner or later however I fear that some one will end up getting hurt

 

[McXal]

What they could do is park all the buses on the lines stadium side of Grenoble Road. Given that after every game since the beginning of time a huge row of cars park there to pick people up which narrows the main exit road to cars , buses and contributes to making it difficult for pedestrians anyway. Might as well put all the buses there - same amount of road being blocked, but at least stopping pedestrians crossing roads and keeping the car park exits clear. But no. I’m sure the solution will be persist with this horrible block the only exit to the East Stand car park strategy and just stop East Stand car park cars from leaving from 80 minutes until well after full time.

Then looking on in confusion why people pour out on 75 minutes if we’re not in the game.

(Sorry, I’m utterly selfishly a little bitter about this new bus solution as a non-Oxford resident without any kind of easy public transport route to the Kassam who parks in the East Stand car park. I understand the thinking, but on paper I thought the solution sucked. In execution…I thought it did suck for everyone. Cars. Buses. Pedestrians. Stewards. Unfortunately I suspect the solution will be as above (preventing the east stand car park exiting) which will suck too)

 

[Jeoh]

It's a positive change for my lazy a**e in the East Stand, but poorly communicated. Wonder whether the 'VIP' car park still has the post-match restrictions, or was the East Stand car park sacrificed for their early exits?

 

[Morris Oxford]

Wonder whether the 'VIP' car park still has the post-match restrictions, or was the East Stand car park sacrificed for their early exits?

Interesting thought.

 

[My Manor]

It still has rre

 

[My Manor]

Restrictions!

 

[LowerSouth]

It makes no sense to me that they do what they did, you had people weaving in and out of cars and buses, would make a hell of a lot more sense had they got buses to park along the yellow line below, means people can exit the east stand car park and less people are playing chicken with traffic

View attachment 23808

We use that enroute to Greater Leys.
If buses were parked there, it would leave roughly a meter width crowded pathway, with no space to wait before getting on the buses

 

[bicesterox]

Pity they can't line them up in the hotel car park, and once loaded, the stewards stop cars coming out the car park for a few minutes to let the buses out

 

[Yellowoptimist]

Some questions for OUSP to pose to the club ref above:
Why has it been necessary to change the location of the buses? What problem is it solving?why changed after 20 years without problems?
Who has defined the current solution with buses parked on exit from east stand car park?
Why is it seen as a good idea to force increased numbers of pedestrians ACROSS the main exit of the main stadium car park?
Are there no solutions eg VIP car park exit where buses could be staged that voids totally vehicle and pedestrian interaction?
How is the system meant to work? Unclear stewards just block car exit yet when they stand aside still no vehicle exit as pedestrians are still forced across it to get to buses and they make no attempt to pause pedestrian access?

Do the club realise that the current system will force more people to park outside of the stadium complex and probably further annoy local communities?
Do the club realise that this hair brained scheme is acting as a further deterrent to fans to attend games ( it has added 45 mins to my journey time on an already lengthy journey)

With the current challenges on the pitch this is just utter madness and will make people question is it worth it (I am not one of them but I will not park there whilst this scheme operates)

 

[CCYellow]

Why has it been necessary to change the location of the buses? What problem is it solving?why changed after 20 years without problems?

Because with 8 buses now parked at the bus stop (plus the City buses), it WAS dangerous, and it's much better to make a change before someone dies, than after.

Who has defined the current solution with buses parked on exit from east stand car park?

Where else could they go?

Why is it seen as a good idea to force increased numbers of pedestrians ACROSS the main exit of the main stadium car park?

There's 11,000 people at the stadium, all of them are pedestrians at some point. Car drivers are definitely in the minority against pedestrians, and therefore should wait for pedestrians.

Are there no solutions eg VIP car park exit where buses could be staged that voids totally vehicle and pedestrian interaction?

Good luck parking 8 buses in there. Good luck even turning 1 bus around in there once it's full, with thousands walking around that bit pre match.

How is the system meant to work?

Hopefully they'll put a block on cars leaving the car park until the buses are gone. Public transport absolutely needs to be prioritised in all aspects of life, especially for an event that 11,000 people attend, and when our new stadium bid relies on public transport as the main mode of transport.

 

[Scotchegg]

Some questions for OUSP to pose to the club ref above:
Why has it been necessary to change the location of the buses? What problem is it solving?why changed after 20 years without problems?
Who has defined the current solution with buses parked on exit from east stand car park?
Why is it seen as a good idea to force increased numbers of pedestrians ACROSS the main exit of the main stadium car park?
Are there no solutions eg VIP car park exit where buses could be staged that voids totally vehicle and pedestrian interaction?
How is the system meant to work? Unclear stewards just block car exit yet when they stand aside still no vehicle exit as pedestrians are still forced across it to get to buses and they make no attempt to pause pedestrian access?

Do the club realise that the current system will force more people to park outside of the stadium complex and probably further annoy local communities?
Do the club realise that this hair brained scheme is acting as a further deterrent to fans to attend games ( it has added 45 mins to my journey time on an already lengthy journey)

With the current challenges on the pitch this is just utter madness and will make people question is it worth it (I am not one of them but I will not park there whilst this scheme operates)

This is something that we (OUSP) have been monitoring for the last few games. We are meeting as a panel on Monday so we will try to collate various views and information from the club before responding.

 

[Yellowoptimist]

Because with 8 buses now parked at the bus stop (plus the City buses), it WAS dangerous, and it's much better to make a change before someone dies, than after.

Where else could they go?

There's 11,000 people at the stadium, all of them are pedestrians at some point. Car drivers are definitely in the minority against pedestrians, and therefore should wait for pedestrians.

Good luck parking 8 buses in there. Good luck even turning 1 bus around in there once it's full, with thousands walking around that bit pre match.

Hopefully they'll put a block on cars leaving the car park until the buses are gone. Public transport absolutely needs to be prioritised in all aspects of life, especially for an event that 11,000 people attend, and when our new stadium bid relies on public transport as the main mode of transport.

Admirable. So unless we can come by public transport we won’t bother coming. Catching a bus from 45 miles away not very practical and as I am sure you understand 90% of supporters are currently forced to drive due to the poor public transport access. Great that the new stadium offers options even for me to travel by train.

We have had multiple occasions in the past with crowds in excess of 11,000 without issue.

The only reason the bus staging on Grenoble road became an issue was because buses were parked opposite each other on that stretch and verges due to poor maintenance are no longer accessible.

Congratulations to you if you can get on a bus. I would love to

 

[CCYellow]

The only reason the bus staging on Grenoble road became an issue was because buses were parked opposite each other on that stretch and verges due to poor maintenance are no longer accessible.

It's looked dangerous for a few years. With additional buses, it's far more dangerous. Nothing to do with the verges not being maintained. There were far too many people waiting on the opposite side for it to be safe.

If the buses were safer and continue to have easy access out of the stadium, more people would take them, freeing more parking space for the people coming 45 miles away. If less people take it, your problems with parking become worse.

 

[McXal]

I despise the new system. Loathe it. As someone that has parked in the East Stand car park (and has to arrive progressively earlier to do so - totally my choice) this system just sucks. The counter points @CCYellow made in his eloquent post above are all valid too.

But yeah, as an exile without any easy route to the stadium other than driving, this solution is dreadful.

I’d be so much less bitter if, as has always been the case, there wasn’t a huge row of cars parked stadium side of Grenoble Road on the yellow line(s?) to pick people up where there is ample space for all the buses without blocking a narrow exit road to one of the car parks and with easy access to the roundabout at the top of Guelder Rd where they could then u-turn around.

Look, the reality is those of us who park in the East Stand are the minority and public transport does need a safe, prioritised solution so I understand. But our stadium isn’t readily accessible by public transport by a great many people (check out the opposition vlogs from fans of basically EVERY other championship club this season who’ve had a nightmare getting from the train station to the ground), plenty of people do need to drive there and I just don’t understand how parking a stadium’s worth of buses on a narrow exit road to one of only two car parks is the one.

I understand the logic. But god I really do hate what they’ve come up with. (Not looking to argue with anyone - as I hope I’ve stated above, I do understand the why and accept that as a minority car park user it’s understandable to have public transport prioritised over us. I still think there HAS to be a better solution than what they’ve gone with though )

 

[Carpy]

It makes no sense to me that they do what they did, you had people weaving in and out of cars and buses, would make a hell of a lot more sense had they got buses to park along the yellow line below, means people can exit the east stand car park and less people are playing chicken with traffic

View attachment 23808

I go back to my message a few weeks ago, pay a contractor to cut down the overgrown hedges along this stretch and you have enough space for a row of buses with pedestrians funnelling down one side.

The club just don't want to spend money because the stadium company should be doing it.

 

[bicesterox]

Instead of turning the buses during the game, why don't they just move them forward a bit towards the vip exit leaving the main car park exit free, took ages to get out today

 

[Morris Oxford]

The new set up with the row of buses hindering the East Stand car park exit is chaotic, fans flooding across the carpark and exit to get to the buses with cars trying to exit in a very narrow space, made worse by dark, winter conditions.

Someone has created a situation which isn’t safe, an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Morris Oxford]

I despise the new system. Loathe it. As someone that has parked in the East Stand car park (and has to arrive progressively earlier to do so - totally my choice) this system just sucks.

This is a good point.

Supporters need to arrive 2 hours before the game to get a car parking space in the East Stand car park (yes their choice) but they do so having always known in the past the upshot to that pain in the a**e is being able to exit the car parking space quickly and safely.

That is now not the case.

There will come a time, (if we haven’t reached it already) where supporters will decide the inconvenience and hassle really isn’t worth it to attend a 90 minute game of football.

 

[Jeoh]

Heard on the OX7 there will be a second bus for Boxing Day? Great news.

Maybe with the new location of the buses people will actually stay for the full length of a game rather than rushing out at the 85th minute

 

[Oxymoron]

There were cars parking past the Nightingale Avenue junction when we arrived around 12:45 which was unusual, so it would seem that some people have chosen to abandon the east stand car park rather than face the chaotic exit.

We left on 90 minutes to try and beat the jam. As it happened, it was pointless as stewards appeared to be holding cars back before the final whistle had blown.

The long walk is not really an option for us, so we have the dilema of leaving at say, 85 minutes or sitting in the mass of stationary cars. Hmmmm......

 

[NorthWestOx]

I’d be so much less bitter if, as has always been the case, there wasn’t a huge row of cars parked stadium side of Grenoble Road on the yellow line(s?) to pick people up where there is ample space for all the buses without blocking a narrow exit road to one of the car parks and with easy access to the roundabout at the top of Guelder Rd where they could then u-turn around.

This.
Why can't buses pick up on the stadium side of Grenpble Road?
There is a roundabout at each end to turn around.

 

[LowerSouth]

This.
Why can't buses pick up on the stadium side of Grenpble Road?
There is a roundabout at each end to turn around.

Unfortunately buses are excluded from parking there.

 

[CCYellow]

This.
Why can't buses pick up on the stadium side of Grenpble Road?
There is a roundabout at each end to turn around.

Same reason that the cars shouldn't be parked there. The double yellow lines. The buses have been ticketed for this in the past.

 

[NorthWestOx]

Same reason that the cars shouldn't be parked there. The double yellow lines. The buses have been ticketed for this in the past.

Surely we can apply for a temporary lifting on match days in the interest of common f@cking sense?
No, probably not.

 

[Shabby Yellow]

I used to park up on Grenoble Road in the white lined areas, to be before the Fryers Hill roundabout (first 50 cars) I would be there for 10:30am for 3pm kick off. Now I get the OX8 from Thame leaving at 13:30 getting in about 14:20. So much easier. The change in parking for buses in the new area is safer for those catching the buses, they were double parking after the match with people on the other side of the road getting the regular bus service, so not safe at all. Our bus does stop at Thornhill Park and Ride, so for drivers having trouble parking, you could park there and get the bus. Not sure if there are other parking areas that would be suitable for other routes, but hopefully there is.