Should Oxford have a tramway?

[mangyiscute]

I've lived in Oxford for a couple of years now, and I was intially shocked at the high bus usage - it is not uncommon to see say 40+ people waiting for the number 2 along Banbury Road, and buses are usually very well loaded. I just took an x40 from Reading to Oxford that ended up having to skip passengers on Iffley road because it was full. It does make you wonder how much time would be saved if something like oyster was put in place, as it does take the buses quite a long time to board everyone - I know they currently have something similar in place but it isn't marketing very well imo so most passengers would probably have no idea how to use it (I think you tap off when you alight but I'm not 100% sure). I personally think that the solution to the current issues are just more anti-car schemes to persuade more people to switch to buses - the buses should be perfectly adequate and if more people start using them, hopefully frequencies can be increased making them even more attractive.

 

[Haywain]

(I think you tap off when you alight but I'm not 100% sure)

I saw something about tapping off but didn't really get what that was about.

 

[JamesT]

I saw something about tapping off but didn't really get what that was about.

The tapping will be OBC’s Freeflow - https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/freeflow
Tap on and off and it’s supposed to only charge single fares and then cap to the day rate. But only works on that bus company.

 

[Mikey C]

Having used a (sister company) Thames Travel bus from Reading, my impression was that a number of people were tapping in and tapping out, and that the system was well used. I tried to do it, but got it wrong and had to phone up for a refund

Dual door buses would make such a system much easier to use though.

 

[didcotdean]

Within Oxford daily capping arrangements are somewhat deficient as they are not cross-operator, although daily tickets that are can be bought. It could be done as it is in some other cities.

 

[mangyiscute]

Having used a (sister company) Thames Travel bus from Reading, my impression was that a number of people were tapping in and tapping out, and that the system was well used. I tried to do it, but got it wrong and had to phone up for a refund

Dual door buses would make such a system much easier to use though.

I think when I tried it the tap off machine wasn't switched on so the driver had to take time to get it on, removing the benefits of a speedy boarding and exit. Nowadays, I just use a 12 trip