NHS and school staff could get free park and ride travel in Oxford with money raised from the congestion charge.
Oxfordshire County Council is to decide how it will spend the estimated surplus of £4.53m by May generated from charge introduced in October last year.
So far, the authority has committed or spent £1.34m of money raised on the free bus journey of a park and ride, but the remaining £3.19m is currently unallocated.
Proposals being put forward to cabinet members next week and recommended for approval include offering free park and ride to NHS and school staff in the week.
If approved, the free parking element would cost an estimated £120,000 and run for nine months from the start of June.
And the free return bus journey to school or an NHS workplace in Oxford would cost £670,000 also for nine months from June.
What's more, a further £1m could be used for hospital express park and ride services to the major sites in Headington.
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This would last for one year from the start of October if approved by cabinet members at a meeting on April 21.
Oxfordshire County Council says NHS and education workplaces account for approximately 42 per cent of workplace parking spaces inside the Oxford ring road, indicating the scale of peak‑time travel to these sectors.
It also says hospital commuting is a "significant contributor" to congestion on Oxford’s radial routes.
Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport management, said: “The temporary congestion charge is giving residents and visitors to the city faster journeys, cleaner air, reduced traffic and safer streets.
“I’m very pleased that we’re now able to discuss how we invest further in giving people more choice and convenience when it comes to getting to and around Oxford, including to major hospital sites.
“It’s my hope that some lasting benefits from the temporary congestion charge will also support the transition to the traffic filters trial after Botley Road reopens.”
Some £1.29m of the surplus could also be used to continue the existing free ride from the park and ride into Oxford for another seven months when it is due to expire at the end of May.
Small-scale active travel measures such as pedestrian crossings and cycle parking is also proposed as well as keeping a £500,000 surplus to manage any potential drops in revenue.
Oxfordshire County Council's spokeswoman said: "Further details about proposed initiatives will be made available when confirmed by cabinet."
Oxford Bus Company has previously attributed an eight per cent year-on-year rise in bus passengers using the park and ride on the congestion charge.
Drivers have been discouraged to use their vehicles in Oxford city centre since the £5 daily charge was introduced in October.
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