LIVERPOOL City Region Combined Authority has scooped a top UK award for Regional Transport Authority of the Year at the National Transport Awards.

The Award is open to transport bodies which cover multiple local authority areas, such as combined authorities and is given to organisations that demonstrate progress and improvement across a range of sustainable transport policy areas, as well as providing accessible and reliable transport for all passengers across a network.

Judges recognised the ‘huge strides’ the Combined Authority had made in rolling out accessible, affordable, high-quality bus and rail services alongside active travel ‘to ensure no community is left behind’.

Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said:- “This is great news and recognition of the work we are delivering on behalf of the people of our city region. This award is testament to the dedication and ambition of everyone who is working to make our transport network one of the best in the country. We’ve always believed that accessible, affordable and sustainable transport is not just a goal but a right that every community should enjoy. Our mission has always been clear: to ensure that no one is left behind, and today’s recognition shows that we’re well on the way to achieving that. From our new publicly owned trains, work to take back control of buses and our expanding active travel routes, we’re not just investing in infrastructure; we’re investing in the future of our region. But we’re not done yet. With even more exciting projects in the pipeline, we’re committed to delivering the London-style integrated transport system our residents deserve.”

Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, added:- “Congratulations to colleagues across the organisation, the hard work by everyone involved in the incredible projects we’ve delivered together has been recognised at a national level, as well as the ongoing, daily dedication from our teams who keep the transport network running day in day out.” 

The Combined Authority’s success is attributed to the myriad of new ways it has improved the public transport network across the City region. Its long list of recent achievements include the opening of the  £80m Headbolt Lane railway station served by new publicly owned, battery powered trains; an £11m upgrade of the Queensway Tunnel lighting; transforming the bus network including franchising and expanding the zero emission bus fleet; the signing of a deal to build the first new Mersey Ferry in 60 years and delivery of the first phase of the region’s planned 500km Active Travel network.

Anthony Smith, Chair of the National Transport Awards Judging Panel, said:- “It was clear to the judges that Liverpool City Region are setting a new standard for public transport in this country and have made huge strides in rolling out accessible, affordable, high-quality bus and rail services alongside active travel to ensure no community is left behind.”

The Combined Authority was also shortlisted in 2 other categories:-

• Design, Engineering & Construction Project of the Year:- Headbolt Lane Station

• Digital and Technology Excellence in Transport:- IPEMU Battery Trains

In their 21st year and organised by Transport Times, the UK National Transport Awards celebrate the dedication, expertise, success and innovation of those working to continually enhance the transport networks across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.