Requesting a new bus stop

We will only accept requests for new bus stops via the bus operator, or more usually, the town or parish council for the area.

To request a new stop, first contact your local town or parish council. If they support the request, they will contact the county council, which will convene a formal site meeting to choose the most appropriate location for the new bus stop. The local county councillor, Oxfordshire County Council Highways, the Town or Parish Clerk, Thames Valley Police, and relevant bus operator(s) will be invited to attend the meeting.

If those at the meeting agree on a suitable location, residents who may be affected will be consulted in writing and invited to comment on the proposal. Any objections to the siting of the new stop which are received within the 28-day consultation period will be considered by the county council cabinet member responsible for public transport. The cabinet member will balance the needs of bus users against the objections received and decide whether the installation should proceed.

Residents have no right to veto county council decisions to place street furniture on the public highway and the cabinet member’s decision is final.

The installation cost will normally be met by the county council.

Issues to consider before a bus stop can be created

• Will the proposed location be safe for all users?
• Does it avoid unnecessary obstruction?
• Will the location be convenient for bus passengers?
• Are bus companies willing to observe the proposed stop?
• Does the request meet the requirements of Development and Local Plans?

Relocating an existing bus stop

The county council will normally only consider relocating a bus stop for safety or operational reasons.

If you wish to have a bus stop moved for any other reason, contact the local town or parish council clerk and give your reason(s). If they support the request, they will contact the county council, which will convene a formal site meeting to consider alternative locations for the bus stop.

Issues to consider before a bus stop can be relocated

• Is there a suitable alternative location in the immediate vicinity?
• Is the new location likely to receive objections from nearby residents or others?
• Will the new location cause additional problems in terms of road safety or convenience of bus passengers?
• Are the town or parish council and relevant bus companies in favour?
• The body or person requesting the relocation may be required to pay the cost (not applicable if for safety or operational reasons).

Assuming that a suitable alternative location in the immediate vicinity is identified, a notice will be posted at the existing bus stop advising passengers of the proposed move and giving them 28 days in which to comment on the proposal.

Residents who may be affected by the bus stop at its new location will be asked to give their agreement in writing. If agreement is not forthcoming, the bus stop will not be relocated, unless it is deemed essential for safety reasons, in which case the consultation procedure above for creating a new stop will be followed.

Removing an existing bus stop

The county council will only usually consider removing a bus stop for safety or operational reasons.

If you need to have a bus stop removed, contact the local town or parish clerk or bus operator and give your reason(s). If they agree that the removal should be considered, they will contact the county council who will investigate further and discuss with interested parties.

If the county council has no objection to the stop being removed, a notice will be posted at the existing bus stop advising passengers of the proposed removal and giving them 28 days in which to comment on the proposal.

Any objection to the removal of the stop within the 28-day consultation period will be considered by the county council cabinet member responsible for public transport, who will decide whether the removal should proceed.

The body or person requesting the removal may be required to pay the cost (not applicable if for safety or operational reasons).

Damaged bus stops or timetable cases

Contact the Highways Team to report damaged bus stops or timetable cases. Please provide enough information so that the bus stop location can be easily identified.

The cost of repairs will be met by the county council.

Missing or inaccurate timetable information

Bus operators are responsible for providing up-to-date roadside publicity for their services. Please report any problem to the relevant bus operator.

Requesting a new bus shelter

Unlike bus stops, the county council does not directly fund bus shelters. Instead, your local town or parish council is responsible for bus shelters in your area. Please contact the town or parish clerk.

Depending on the circumstances, a site meeting may be required if there are concerns regarding safety, access, visibility, etc.

If a suitable location is agreed, residents who may be affected will be consulted in writing and invited to comment on the proposal. Any objections to the siting of the new shelter which are received within the 28-day consultation period will be considered by the county council cabinet member responsible for public transport. The cabinet member will balance the needs of bus users against the objections received and decide whether the installation should proceed.

Residents have no right to veto county council decisions to place street furniture on the public highway and the cabinet member’s decision is final.

Issues to consider before a bus shelter can be installed

• Will the proposed location be safe for all users?
• Will it allow unobstructed access to the footway for wheelchairs and pushchairs?
• Will the location be convenient for bus passengers?
• Will the location require a base for passengers to stand on?
• Does the request meet the requirements of Development and Local Plans?
• Do the funds exist to pay for the shelter, either directly from the local council or other external sources?
• Is the local council willing to undertake the ongoing costs of insurance, maintenance and repairs?   

Damaged bus shelters

Your local town or parish council is responsible for the condition of bus shelters in your area. Please report any problem to the town or parish clerk.