Significant discount to celebrate May Bank Holiday on new bus service

Pulhams is celebrating May Day by providing a significant group discount on its new service between Cheltenham and Oxford via Witney.

The X52 was introduced to the Pulhams network on 29th March, operating approximately every two hours Monday to Saturday, and with a faster running time between Witney and Oxford.

An enhanced summer timetable will see Sunday buses operating up to every two hours from the first Sunday in May, and with May Day marking the beginning of summer, a heavily discounted group ticket will be available for passengers.

Discount via the GoAnywhere group day ticket, which allows travel for up to five people, will see the fare drop from £38 to just £10 on May Day, and can be purchased via the Pulhams app only.

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Pulhams, said: “The new X52 service has been a fantastic success so far and we’re excited to see it expand and grow further.

“The timetable will be enhanced for the summer season, providing better connections across the Cotswolds to popular destinations such as Northleach, Burford, Witney and Eynsham.

“To celebrate Pulhams taking on the service and to help people explore the Cotswolds on May Day, we’ve introduced the special offer.”

Previously the S2 service run by Stagecoach, the route for the X52 was put out to tender and the contract subsequently awarded to Pulhams. It marked a full circle moment for the bus link, which was operated as the 853 service by Swanbrook Transport until July 2020. Swanbrook was acquired by Pulhams in November 2024.

Pulhams is enjoying an exciting period of growth, with a recent £8.17 million investment bringing 15 electric buses into the network. Significant depot upgrades have also been completed, including the installation of 16 electric charging points, a new bus wash, new fuelling system and refurbished offices.

An exclusive shuttle bus service to and from the Cotswolds Designer Outlet was expanded from 31st March and is now operating every day of the week between Ashchurch for Tewkesbury train station, the Designer Outlet and Tewkesbury town centre.

Pulhams originally transported passengers and goods by horse and cart and was founded in 1880 by the Pulham family. Today, it operates bus, coach and school transport services across the Cotswolds and surrounding areas.

The X52 service will be operating to a Sunday schedule on May Bank Holiday. A full timetable for the X52 service can be found here.