Oxford Bus Company Invests in New Fleet as Popularity of Airline Service Takes Off

Go-Ahead owned Oxford Bus Company has invested £2M in a new range of luxury coaches and will increase its airline services to Heathrow Airport to every 20 minutes.

An additional 12 departures will go between Oxford and Heathrow Airport daily from 28 May onwards, providing an extra 4,536 seats weekly. The upgrade in services from every 30 minutes to Heathrow Airport to every 20 minutes is being made to meet passenger demand.

The fleet of coaches is being increased by two, with seven new Mercedes Tourismo 2023 plate vehicles replacing five vehicles, meaning passengers can travel in style and enjoy the latest in comfort and luxury. The additional coaches take the overall fleet to 18 vehicles. Services between Oxford, High Wycombe and Gatwick Airport will remain the same.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director said: “It’s fantastic to see the levels of international travel fully return, which has resulted in increased demand for our airline services.

“Our airline services provide crucial connectivity between Oxford, High Wycombe and Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport. The latest investment in our fleet and increasing our services further underpins our commitment to the service and providing our passengers with a first-class service.”

The new coaches are fitted with the latest green technology and are ultra-low Euro 6 rated for emissions. They also include luxurious seating and seat trays to use laptops and tablets, plus USB charging points, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

The coaches provide wheel-chair access, toilets and extensive luggage capacity for passengers’ suitcases and bags. There are also monitors on board, with sat-nav displays to enable passengers to check progress on their journey, just as they would when on an aeroplane.

Tickets for the airline service can be purchased online, at the Gloucester Green Travel Shop or on the Oxford Bus Company app. The Oxford Bus Company also offers free travel on any of its local buses to airline stops with the airline flyer ticket.

Matthew Wooll, Route Development Lead in Heathrow’s Surface Access Team, said: “Travelling more sustainably to Heathrow is very important, and our partnership with Oxford Bus Company is delivering some great improvements to the bus and coach network.

One of the previous batch of vehicles now being replaced

“We want to see many more passengers and colleagues choosing to use public transport to the airport, which takes cars off the road and reduces emissions and congestion, in line with our sustainability goals.”