Liverpool City Region bus services will start returning to public control this weekend for the first time in 40 years.
Launching in St Helens on Sunday 6 September, the historic switch will see a raft of immediate improvements including expanded weekend and evening timetables, more frequent services and a new express route to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Passengers on services in and around St Helens will also benefit from an all-new bus fleet decked out in distinctive yellow and grey Metro livery. The state-of-the-art, low-emission vehicles are packed with features designed to make bus travel more comfortable and accessible – including better seats, USB charging and more space for wheelchairs and prams.
Services in Wirral will return to public control later this autumn, followed by Knowsley, Liverpool and Sefton in 2027.
The roll-out is part of Mayor Steve Rotheram’s commitment to create a fairer, greener, and fully joined-up transport system in the Liverpool City Region that puts passengers before profit.
From the first day of services, passengers across St Helens and neighbouring areas will see immediate improvements designed to make bus travel more convenient and reliable – bringing an additional 5,000 residents within 400 metres of a bus stop.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“In just seven days, we are turning the page on 40 years of deregulated, fragmented bus services and bringing our network back under public control where it belongs. This is a monumental moment for St Helens and the first major step in building a world-class, integrated public transport system across our entire region.
“From day one, people in St Helens will see real, tangible benefits, more frequent buses, better evening and weekend connections, a brand-new express route straight to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and a fleet of eco-friendly, modern buses owned by the public. And along with our continuation of £2 fares, we are building a transport network that works for local people, placing accessibility, reliability, and affordability at its absolute core.”
(Picture: Liverpool City Region)
