A new timetable, which includes additional weekday evening services, a doubling of services on Saturdays and a Sunday service – which will enable passengers to catch a train to Oxford every 90 minutes – have been welcomed.
It is hoped the changes will provide a boost to business and commerce – as well as being more convenient for shoppers – by making it easier for passengers to travel between Bicester and Oxford.
Branded the Bicester Link, the new service has been made possible thanks to support from Oxon County Council which has been working alongside First Great Western Rail Company.
The improvements were unveiled at a special event held at the station.
Mayor James Porter said: "It was a good day for the town and I think it is really starting to move Bicester in the right direction by making better links with Oxford.
"Obviously it will help business and commerce at both ends of the line and I applaud the county council for having enough vision to take this step forward."
Richard Rowland, First Great Western's route director, said they were committed to making public transport more convenient.
Mr Rowland said: "Working in partnership with Oxon County Council, by improving the quality and frequency of this service we will encourage more people to leave their cars at home, avoid the stress of congestion on the roads and play their part in sustaining the local
environment ."
Huw Jones, director of environment and economy at Oxon County Council, said: "Oxfordshire County Council was instrumental in getting the line
reopened in the 1980s and has been working with First Great Western and the rail user group to improve the stations and attract more people onto trains in recent years.
"Local residents and shoppers told us that extra trains during the daytime, in the evenings and at weekends would make them switch from using their cars, proving that better public transport is important to a sustainable lifestyle in Bicester and Oxford. This is excellent news for both Bicester and Oxford."