OBC takes over Arriva route after depot closures

Oxford Bus Company has taken over a route previously operated by Arriva, which has ceased operation of it following the closure of two of its depots.

Oxford Bus Company is now running the Oxford and Thame service, via Headington and Wheatley. The Go-Ahead-owned operator took on the new 280 service following the news Arriva had withdrawn the route after the operator announced it was closing its depots in Aylesbury and High Wycombe.

The 280 service will operate on Mondays to Saturdays with a frequency of up to every 30 minutes and will also serve Tiddington. Night bus services will operate on Friday and Saturday evenings, with the last journey from Oxford High Street at 2.28am on these days.

Oxford Bus Company also announced changes to its 400 service following the planned closure of Brookes University’s Wheatley Campus at the end of this academic year. It will maintain revised timetables for the 400 service and combined with the 280 timetable will ensure good connectivity is maintained for Wheatley and its surrounding communities.

“The 280 service is an exciting expansion of our network and connects Oxford and Thame, which is a key transport corridor” – Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said: “The 280 service is an exciting expansion of our network and connects Oxford and Thame, which is a key transport corridor.

“Combined with our revised 400 service we are ensuring we maintain a strong network for Wheatley and improving Park and Ride connectivity for the surrounding areas.

“We understand a lot of people will have been concerned following the sad news of Arriva’s local depot closures and I hope this news will reassure people of our commitment to maintain as many services as we can. We also appreciate people will have questions, so our team was present at Thame Market this week to provide information and support.”