ACORN South East region

ACORN's South East region contains the Branches and Groups Brighton and Oxford, as well as many other members in other towns and cities, all fighting campaigns on the issues that matter to them. Join in with an action near you so we can win.

We are stronger together.

ACORN's South East region contains the Branches and Groups Brighton and Oxford, as well as many other members in other towns and cities, all fighting campaigns on the issues that matter to them. Join in with an action near you so we can win.

We are stronger together.

Tell Oxfordshire Council: We Demand Better Buses!

Oxfordshire bus companies are taking us for a ride. Residents face unreliable services, cuts to vital routes and unaffordable fares. Meanwhile bosses and shareholders rake in millions every year.

Buses should work for the people, not profit! That's why ACORN is campaigning to get buses in Oxfordshire taken into public control, so that our bus services serve the communities that need them most.

We are demanding Oxfordshire County Council takes the first steps towards this by implementing bus franchising, or setting up a council-owned bus company. This means that the council sets routes, timetables and fares based on the needs of residents, rather than bus companies making these decisions based on making profit.

To make these much-needed changes, the council needs to allocate money for a feasibility study it in the 2024 budget.

We are happy to report that Oxfordshire Labour Councillors have agreed to back our campaign. However, the Liberal Democrats, Greens, Conservatives and Independents haven't. If you live in an area represented by one of these parties, you can support ACORN’s campaign today and write to your county councillor below, asking them to support better buses for Oxfordshire in the February budget!

You will be asked to enter your ‘Division’ below, to find the councillor representing you on the county council. If you don’t know what division you live in, enter your postcode at writetothem.com.

1. Find your County Councillor

2. Enter your details

Name

Email

3. Make your email count

Subject:

Dear councillor,

I am writing as your constituent to urge you to support ACORN’s ‘Better Buses for Oxfordshire’ campaign, and ensure that money is put towards a feasibility study for bus franchising and/or a council-run bus company, in the February 2024 budget.

ACORN has spoken to dozens of Oxfordshire residents who report being cut off from work, family and leisure by the state of the bus service. Different companies charge separate fares meaning those using multiple buses in a day pay a fortune. Buses are also unreliable and often cancelled, meaning people can't get to work on time.

All three of the bus companies that run in our county reported millions in profits last year, while cutting services and inflicting misery on Oxfordshire bus-users. This is not right - and there is another way.

Under franchising models or if the council were to run the bus company themselves,  timetables and fares can be set in line with what residents need and can afford. This is possible because money from tickets is re-invested directly back into the service rather than filling shareholder pockets, freeing up that money to be used for public good. So this would actually saves us money, and makes huge financial sense for the council in the long-term.

The council already committed to these measures in September 2023. We are now asking all councillors to follow through. So I am asking that you:

1. Pledge to do everything in your power to make sure a feasibility study for bus franchising/establishing a council-run bus company is included in the 2024 council budget

2. Sign our campaign petition: tinyurl.com/OxfordBusPetition

Can I count on your support?

ACORN is very happy to speak to anyone who wants to discuss this campaign in more depth. Please contact oxford@acorntheunion.org.uk

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