Motorists switch to using public transport to avoid paying £5 daily fee

The figures also indicated improvements to traffic levels in the city centre and faster journey times on key routes.

However, the council has acknowledged that some outer roads are now experiencing increased traffic.

The temporary congestion charge was introduced on October 29 at six locations across Oxford.

The daily charge was designed to reduce traffic in the city while Botley Road remains closed and while the start of the council’s traffic filter trial is delayed.

The filters are expected to be introduced once Botley Road reopens, which is currently forecast for August.

The latest data showed that in January, there was a 33 per cent increase in cars entering the Redbridge park and ride site compared with January 2025.

Overall, entries to park and ride sites have increased year on year, particularly at Redbridge and Peartree. The council has said there is still plenty of capacity available.

Councillor Andrew Gant said: “It’s very encouraging to see how many people have taken up our offer of free park and ride bus travel into the city with the congestion charge, with reduced traffic on key routes enabling improvements to bus services to be made across the city.

“Entries to park and ride sites have increased year on year, particularly at the Redbridge and Peartree sites, and there is still plenty of capacity.

“Park and ride is an increasingly convenient way to visit Oxford, and the more people use it, the more we all benefit.”

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However, he cautioned that “it’s still too early for us to draw firm conclusions and we will continue to watch the impacts of the temporary congestion charge carefully as residents, visitors and businesses adjust to it.”

Bus operators have stated they are already seeing improvements. Luke Marion, managing director of the Oxford Bus Company, said: “We’ve been really encouraged with the take-up of the park and ride offer.”

He added: “More people using park and ride has a really positive impact for the wider bus network across the city, with the traffic that it takes off the roads directly supporting faster journeys on buses across the city, and beyond.

“We’ve introduced improvements to some of our longer-distance services from February 22, to match the improvements already made to most city routes, so the benefits are spreading far and wide.”

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OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

The council said it will publish monitoring data each month, including car and bus journey times, as well as park-and-ride usage.

Data has now been released for November, December and January, although some data sets are not yet available, the authority explained.

Officials have said that travel patterns and other external factors will continue to change, and that the information collected over time will help build a clearer picture of how the scheme is working.

Drivers must pay the temporary congestion charge if they travel through one of the six charging points without a permit.

At Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way, the charge applies from Monday to Saturday during peak times between 7am and 9am and between 3pm and 6pm.

At Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement‘s Street and Thames Street, it applies from Monday to Sunday between 7am and 7pm.

Cars with permits and all other vehicles can pass through the charging points free of charge. Permits are available for residents, traders, carers and Blue Badge holders.

Drivers without a permit can pay the charge online by midnight on the day after travelling through one of the charging locations, and there is also an option to pay by phone.

The scheme will remain in place until the traffic filter trial begins following the reopening of Botley Road.

While the council has pointed to rising park and ride use and improved bus journey times, the reported increase in traffic on some outer roads is likely to continue to prompt debate.