REGULAR park-and-ride users could benefit from a season ticket discount on parking fees.

Oxford City Council has said it will look at offering new savings later this year after it made £30,000 more than expected from its sites.

The authority began charging drivers £1.50 to park at Seacourt, Redbridge, and Pear Tree after it took over running them from the county council in October.

Some discounts are already available, as parking for seven days costs £7.50 but the authority says it will look at further discounts later this year. This week the city council revealed it had had more users than expected, which led to the extra income. It ruled out making parking free again and it said the income would be used for ongoing investment in the sites.

The Oxford Mail predicted last December the council would make more than the council was planning from the site – up to £92,000 a year more.

Ed Turner, deputy leader of the Labour-led council, said the possibility of user discounts would be looked at in October when a year’s worth of statistics were available.

He said: “If the income drops and it leaves us with no extra money then obviously we will carrying on provide the service as it is. We would not be looking to increase charges but it would be a difficult to introduce any discounts.”

Mr Turner said it was too early to say when the discounts could be offered and how much users would save.

The county council runs Thornhill and Water Eaton which remain free for motorists.

There have been 405,000 visits to the city council park and ride sites since October – 25,000 more than expected. The city had expected to take £477,000 but took £507,000.

The county council failed to provide figures on the usage of the sites before they were handed to the city council for comparison.

Hugh Jaegar, chairman of the Bus Users Oxford Group, said: “It’s a start but it’s not enough.

“I welcome the fact they are prepared to consider a discount for regular users.”

He also said there should a set price across the city.

He said: “That would spread the load fairly between all five sites and it will be easier for users to understand.”

Jean Fooks, leader of the city council Liberal Democrat opposition, welcomed the news that regulars could get a discount.

She said: “If it encourages people to use park-and-ride rather than drive into town then it’s good thing.”

The council spent about £100,000 on improvements to the sites when it took over. This was spent on new pay machines, signs, shelters and repairs.

It is also looking to carry out £150,000 worth of repairs later in the year, including replacement of lighting and two new shelters.

City council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “We are also planning to conduct a survey within the three sites as we want to hear from our customers about further improvements that we can make.”

County council leader Ian Hudspeth said: “We saw the benefit of encouraging people to use the park-and-rides and that’s why we introduced the free parking.”