OXFORD Bus Company’s mobile phone app-supported service will expand its zone into Horspath next year.

The service will serve Horspath from January 5 due to popular demand and thanks to funding from Horspath Parish Council. It will serve the village on a six-month pilot scheme, returning public transport to Horspath for the first time since bus services were withdrawn following Oxfordshire County Council subsidy cuts in 2016.

Phil Southall, managing director of Oxford Bus Company said: “It is great news to be extending the PickMeUp zone to serve the Horspath community.

“It will provide vital connectivity for people living and working in Horspath.

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"This is as a direct result of Horspath Parish Council working in partnership with us to introduce the service on a trial basis. Such support from other key stakeholders remains crucial to help the service grow as we enter the final phase of the pilot scheme in 2020.”

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Horspath parish councillor Lisa Hofen said: “On behalf of our residents, Horspath Parish Council are delighted to be partnering with Oxford Bus Company’s demand based ‘Pick Me Up’ service for a six-month trial starting January 5.

“It is simply wonderful to again see the return of a bus service to our village, something we have been working on for our residents for some time now.

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"The parish council and the Oxford Bus Company will naturally continue to monitor demand throughout the trial.

"We strongly encourage our residents to embrace this new service. We will be hosting an information session on Monday, January 6 between 12 noon and 3pm at the village hall.”