WHILE Oxford party-goers are enjoying themselves in London, a dozen bus drivers are getting ready to ensure they get home safely.

Hundreds of people will be travelling back from the capital after Big Ben tolls so Oxford Tube drivers are preparing for the busiest night of the year.

There will be 15 coaches in total leaving London after midnight. The coaches will depart every 15 minutes from 0040.

The New Year Oxford Tube drivers will see in the New Year together with a hot tea or coffee before getting into position on their coaches, ready for the revellers to be brought back to Oxford safely.

Rob Hough, operations manager, who previously worked New Year’s Eve for seven years as a driver and controller, said: “London is a fantastic city to be in at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

“As soon as midnight strikes we jump back onto the coach to make sure people going back home to Oxford do so safely.

“It’s one of the best night’s to work - customers are happy and in high spirits!

“Although it is a demanding evening to work, it is rewarding - it takes us about 15 minutes to get everyone on board the first coach and wave it off, then the next one appears and the process continues.

“It is a smooth operation which means we can help everyone board safely.”

Mr Hough, from Thame, became the Oxford Tube’s operations manager in October and has been working with Stagecoach in Oxfordshire for 10 years.

Coaches will depart from London and stop at all scheduled stops into Oxford. Return tickets start from £11 and children under 16 travel for free with a full fare-paying adult.

Passengers are advised to make their way to our London Victoria Stop 10 in Buckingham Palace Road to board a coach to Oxford.

Visit stagecoachbus.com/about/oxfordshire