Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed the removal of all bus subsidies in Oxfordshire and with affect, announcing the immediate closure of many valued bus services and routes. The X8 route (Chipping Norton to Kingham Railway Station) and the X9 service (Chipping Norton-Charlbury-Witney) will both cease operation on 20th July 2016.
Pulham & Sons (Coaches) Ltd, the family-owned bus and coach Company based in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire has agreed to continue to run these services using a revised timetable, on a commercial basis from 21st July 2016.
Andrew Pulham, Director comments “It is crucial these lifeline bus routes continue. We want to save these two services and being a family business since 1880, we have the experience and knowledge to know how important and vital bus transport links are for local people such as students, commuters, patients and shoppers. We are reaching out to the public now asking them to make good use of the new services.
Whilst a revised timetable is planned, the bus services of both routes are of much benefit in serving passengers to: Kingham Rail Station with direct links to London (early morning and early evening times still apply); passengers from Chipping Norton and Charlbury through to Witney town centre. Andrew comments, “We will be reviewing patronage periodically on the X8 & X9 and hope these new commercial services will be used well so they continue in the long term. It is essential that the public leave the car at home and use the bus”
For more information on bus routes, season tickets and Explorer tickets to visit the Cotswolds please visit www.pulhamscoaches.com.
