Oxford Bus Company launches annual brand the bus competition for 2022

• Competition for a good cause to be decked out on a bus returns for fourth year
• 2021 attracted 7,165 public votes for 23 entrants
• Competition helps local charities and good causes raise awareness of what they do

It is the fourth year running Oxford Bus Company has run the competition as part of its community values. Entries are now open for good causes, or its supporters, to submit a short video or PDF presentation on why it should win the Brand the Bus competition in their unique livery.

The winner will have its logo and messages proudly displayed all over an Oxford Bus Company bus which will operate on its City services. And they will be in good company among the growing fleet of buses branded with good causes. Girl Guiding Oxfordshire won the inaugural 2019 Brand the Bus competition, Home-Start Oxford scooped first place in 2020 and Blue Skye Thinking won the 2021 contest. Abingdon Riding for the Disabled Association was also awarded the space on a bus rear as runners up in the 2021 competition.

The 10 entries for 2022 that are deemed best according to a public vote will be shortlisted and examined by a judging panel. For the second year running the competition is being supported by BBC Radio Oxford and one of its presenters will join the judging panel.

Prizes will be awarded to the competitors who have, in the panel’s opinion, fulfilled the brief to the highest standard. The winning organisation will be invited to work with the Oxford Bus Company to design a bus wrap featuring the brand colours, logo, and messages of the good cause. Runners-up will receive support via digital on-board bus advertising.

Phil Southall Oxford Bus Company Managing Director said: “Our Brand the Bus competition has become a mainstay in our community and provides excellent support to deserving good causes.

“The transport industry continues to face significant challenges due to COVID-19, but as with the 2021 competition we felt it important to maintain our support to charities and good causes. We pride ourselves as being part of the community we serve, and Brand the Bus is a great way for us to continue to give back.

“It is a great opportunity for charities and good causes to get involved and raise their profile. We have kept all the branded buses to date in service and they add some real interest to our fleet and help brighten up the city. There are so many good causes that do such good work across the county and we’re looking forward to seeing the entries for the 2022 competition.”

In addition to the Brand the Bus competition winning buses, the Oxford Bus Company have wrapped other buses to support good causes. It has previously wrapped a bus in Oxford Pride colours as part of its commitment to embracing diversity and the Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group bus.

The deadline for Brand the Bus entries is 30th September 2021 and public voting closes on 30th November. The winner will be announced in December and the bus launched in early 2022. For more details and to enter please visit here: https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/competition/