Oxfordshire County Council faces a May deadline to decide how to spend an anticipated £4.53 million surplus arising from Oxford’s congestion charge. The scheme launched in October of the previous year.

So far, £1.34 million from the collected revenue has been committed or spent on free bus services connecting to park and ride facilities, with £3.19 million still requiring distribution.

Proposals due to be put before cabinet members the following week involve offering free park and ride access to NHS staff and education workers on weekdays.

The free parking element would cost roughly £120,000 and run for nine months starting in June.

Free return bus travel to educational establishments or medical facilities across Oxford would require £670,000, also spanning nine months from June.

Furthermore, £1 million could finance rapid park and ride services linking to major sites in Headington. This scheme would operate for twelve months beginning in October, subject to cabinet sign-off at their April 21 gathering.

Oxfordshire County Council reports that healthcare and educational workplaces account for approximately 42 percent of parking spaces located within Oxford’s ring road, highlighting the volume of peak-time travel to these sectors.

The council observes that hospital staff journeys significantly add to congestion on Oxford’s primary radial roads.

Andrew Gant, the cabinet member overseeing transport, said the interim congestion charge is giving local residents and visitors faster journeys, better air quality, reduced traffic levels, and improved road safety. He expressed satisfaction that discussions could now progress regarding further investments to provide people with additional choices and convenience when getting to and around Oxford, including major hospital sites. He hoped some permanent benefits from the temporary congestion charge would also assist the transition to the traffic filters trial after Botley Road reopens.

Around £1.29 million of the surplus could prolong the existing free park and ride service into Oxford for an additional seven months past its May end date.

Plans also encompass minor active travel infrastructure such as pedestrian crossings and bicycle parking, alongside maintaining a £500,000 reserve to cover potential income shortfalls.

A council representative said further details about proposed schemes would be published after cabinet approval.

Oxford Bus Company has previously attributed an eight percent annual rise in park and ride usage to the congestion charge.

Since the £5 daily fee was introduced in October, motorists have been deterred from bringing cars into Oxford’s central area.