Liverpool City Region has reported an encouraging first two weeks as bus services in Wirral returned to public control for the first time in four decades.
Initial performance data shows a strong start to publicly-controlled services across the network. Reliability (a bus completing its entire route) has increased in Wirral by 10% since day one, while punctuality (services arriving and leaving on timetable) has risen by 15% in Wirral since day one.
Overall reliability across the publicly-controlled network in Wirral and St Helens is at 92% and punctuality is at 80%, with well in excess of a million passenger journeys taken so far.
Building on the successful rollout of service in St Helens, returning the Wirral bus network to public control marks another huge step forward for Mayor Steve Rotheram’s vision of a transport system built around community need rather than private profit.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“Good public transport is a lifeline – it gets people to work, to hospital appointments and to see family and friends. It’s something people rely on every single day.
“For too long, our buses were run for private profit, with passengers left putting up with services that didn’t meet their needs. Bringing them back under public control means we can put passengers first, with better connections, more affordable fares and services that work for local communities.
“It’s great to see such a positive start in Wirral, and to hear directly from passengers about the difference the new services are making. We’ve already seen what public control can deliver in St Helens and now we’re building on that across the city region.
Cllr Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, commented:
“It’s been encouraging to see the positive start made by the new franchised bus services across Wirral. This is about putting passengers and communities first, creating a network that is more reliable, affordable and accessible for the people who rely on it every day.
“Buses are about much more than getting from A to B. They help people get to work, attend hospital appointments, access education, support local businesses and stay connected with family and friends. That’s why it’s so positive to hear from residents who are already seeing the benefits of the new passenger-focused network.
“Working alongside the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and our operator partners, we’re helping to build a transport system that better serves our communities and supports Wirral’s future growth.”
Beginning with the service early on the morning of Sunday 25 October, bus users in Wirral have seen the benefits of publicly-controlled bus services, featuring later and longer running timetables as well as new links to local hospitals including Arrowe Park and the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.
The improvements in service are also backed by measures to make travel more affordable, including the £2 adult fare cap, launched in 2022 and one of the longest established in the country and MyTicket, which gives young people access to all-day bus travel across the region.
Passengers across the borough are also benefitting from a brand-new, UK-built bus fleet in the region’s distinctive yellow and grey Metro livery. The low-emission buses feature premium upgrades including more comfortable seating, USB charging points, audio-visual announcements and more space for wheelchairs and prams.
(Picture: Liverpool City Region)
