The Oxfordshire Comet

Published: 29 July 2016

Oxfordshire County Council has launched a new bookable transport service, called the Oxfordshire Comet. It has been created to allow people without suitable access to public transport to make the journeys they want. The new service operates as a membership scheme that individuals and groups will need to register with before making their first journey.

The Oxfordshire Comet uses vehicles that normally take children to school and adults to day care centres. Because we already own these vehicles, we only have to cover running costs, meaning we can keep costs down for passengers.

It can be booked for any type of trip - to meet friends in town, travel across the county, attend an appointment or pop to the shops. It’s been designed so that it's easy to book with a pre-paid account that can be set up on the phone.

The service is for Oxfordshire residents who don’t have access to suitable public transport. The service is also open to wheelchair users or those with mobility issues. It can be booked by individuals, groups, schools, organisations and local communities.

The Oxfordshire Comet can do one-off journeys, regular and group trips. The Comet can also run regular community routes in areas where local people may not have suitable access to public transport. We are already in discussions with a number of parish councils and other groups over the setting up of such routes. A fund of £200k has been set aside that parish councils and other organisation can apply for to trial the Comet service for an initial period.

The 16-seater Comet vehicles are fully wheelchair and pushchair accessible.

For more information, please visit: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cometwww.oxfordshire.gov.uk/comet

or contact Rob Savage Robert.Savage@oxfordshire.gov.uk