Inflatable Dinosaur Costume Among Unusual Items Found on British Buses in 2025
OXFORD, England — The Oxford Bus Company revealed a fascinating glimpse into the eclectic mix of items left behind on its buses throughout 2025, showcasing everything from everyday essentials to some truly unexpected treasures. Among the most unusual discoveries was an inflatable dinosaur costume, a quirky addition to the company’s lost and found collection that also included a box of fortune cookies, a baby bonsai tree, and even a potato adorned with googly eyes.
In total, the company’s customer service department recorded 4,387 lost items last year, of which approximately 23 percent — or 1,013 items — were successfully returned to their owners. While common items such as keys, mobile phones, umbrellas, purses, and wallets made up the bulk of the lost property, the more eccentric finds have captured public imagination and highlighted the diverse range of passengers using the transit system.
Andy Morison, head of digital and customer experience at Oxford Bus Company, emphasized the company’s commitment to easing the stress of losing personal belongings. “Misplacing a personal item can be a stressful experience, so we use technology to help make it easier for people to get their belongings back,” Morison said. He pointed to the company’s NotLost service, an online platform designed to streamline the lost property process by allowing passengers to report and claim lost items digitally.
Unclaimed items are thoughtfully donated to local thrift stores, ensuring they find new homes rather than languishing in storage. The company’s unusual finds from previous years have included a bar stool, a roll of Donald Trump-themed toilet paper, a guitar, skis, and even a wet floor sign.
Such stories are not unique to the UK. Across the globe, transit authorities grapple with the challenge of managing lost and found items. For example, the Federal Transit Administration in the United States offers guidelines and best practices for lost property management, underscoring the importance of customer service in public transportation.
The Oxford Bus Company’s approach also aligns with broader efforts to leverage technology in public services, as recommended by the UK Government Digital Service. By integrating digital tools, the company not only improves passenger satisfaction but also reduces administrative burdens.
Among the more peculiar items logged in 2024 were a suitcase filled with retro adult magazines, a jar of raw chicken, and a snooker cue, illustrating that the lost and found can be a cabinet of curiosities. The 2025 haul also included a bag of rubber ducks, a jar of pickled onions, a bicycle tire, a 22-pound bag of rice, several Nerf guns, and a yoga mat inscribed with inspirational quotes.
Morison encouraged passengers to promptly report lost items and utilize the online service to facilitate quick returns. “We encourage people who misplace their items to use our NotLost service via the website which has helped us effectively manage lost property and minimize stress to affected passengers,” he said.
These unusual lost and found items serve as a reminder of the diverse lives and personalities that intersect daily on public transit, adding a touch of whimsy to the routine of commuting. For those who have ever forgotten something on a bus, the Oxford Bus Company’s story offers reassurance that even the most unexpected possessions might just find their way back home.
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