A new website has launched to help anyone who lives in, works in, or visits Oxford to find alternatives to travelling by car around the city.
Oxford Travel Options, aims to provide Oxford residents, commuters, visitors and businesses with information and advice on alternatives to travelling by car.
The website has been created by the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership and Low Carbon Oxford North, with support from the Low Carbon Hub.
The site includes information on different ways of travelling around the city, which is updated regularly. It covers everything from explaining different bus ticket types, cycling and walking routes, to online journey planners, lift share apps, information on wheelchair bus access, and cargo bike hire. It also includes advice for employers on supporting staff travel.
The website also features real stories from local people, with case studies and advice on a range of topics from travelling with kids to finding a liftshare buddy, and finding cheaper and healthier ways to travel.
The Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership is a group of Oxfordshire’s leading institutions and employers working together to achieve zero carbon emissions across the county by 2050, including the universities, NHS trusts, councils, large businesses, further education, and community organisations.
Low Carbon Oxford North is a community climate charity set up by local residents to support ambitious CO2 cuts through local action.
Low Carbon Hub is a social enterprise out to prove we can meet our energy needs in a way that’s good for people and good for the planet. They provided funding to Low Carbon Oxford North for the project through their Community Grants Programme, which supports local action on climate change.
Transport is the second largest contributor to Oxford’s emissions, accounting for 23% of emissions. In order for Oxford to become a net zero city by 2040, a shift from private car use towards increased public transport-use is needed, as well as cycling, walking, working-from-home, and car sharing.
The need for the website was identified by the Partnership’s Sustainable Travel working group, which supports sustainable travel initiatives with employers, and by Low Carbon Oxford North through their work with Oxford residents.
Funding for the creation of the website has come from the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership and Low Carbon Hub. Ongoing management of the website will be funded by the Foundation for Integrated Transport and the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership.
“Transport is one of Oxford’s biggest sources of carbon emissions, and we know that helping people shift how they travel - even in small ways - is key to tackling this. The website brings together local travel advice to help people choose low-carbon options that fit their daily lives, including guidance for employers supporting staff to travel more sustainably. The Sustainable Travel Working Group identified the need for a central, user-friendly resource like this, and it’s great to see that idea now brought to life. We hope it will be a useful tool for employers, residents and visitors alike to make more confident, informed choices about how they travel.”
Jerry Woods, Champion of the ZCOP Sustainable Travel working group
“We know from working with Oxford residents that there are lots of people in Oxford who would like to drive less and would value some support in making changes – and this is exactly what Oxford Travel Options is intended to do. The site makes it easier for people to access the huge variety of resources and services Oxford offers in support of sustainable travel. We know people rely on cars for lots of reasons – we also know that small changes to our travel habits can save money, reduce stress and improve happiness, as well as improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions. This is not an ‘all or nothing scenario’. We hope that by providing lots of useful information, the website will encourage people to have a try and see how it goes!”
Carey Newson, Trustee of community climate charity Low Carbon Oxford North
"I am delighted to welcome this fantastic initiative from ZCOP. Healthy and sustainable travel options improve every aspect of people's lives: mental and physical health and wellbeing, educational outcomes, independence and resilience in young people, cleaner air, safer streets, better public transport, and much else.
“Part of the county council’s long-term transport strategy for Oxfordshire is to enable residents to feel the many benefits of walking and cycling, and using public and shared transport. The travel options website is an example of organisations working together to inspire others to try something new, one journey at a time.”
Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management at Oxfordshire County Council
“We know from working with the city’s biggest employers that residents & their staff want information on how to travel into and across Oxford conveniently and sustainably. This new website aims to compile this information into one accessible place. I hope that residents will find it useful for journey planning & will encourage them to try different ways of getting to work and around the city.”
Councillor Anna Railton, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for a Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council
“The University of Oxford is pleased to be part of the ZCOP Sustainable Travel Working Group and to support the launch of the Oxford Travel Options website. This resource makes sustainable travel simple and accessible for everyone in Oxford. With so many staff and students travelling daily, it provides valuable support to help make greener travel choices easier. It’s encouraging to see partners across the city collaborating on this initiative.”
Ed Wigzell, Sustainable Travel Manager, University of Oxford
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