IN 1 of the biggest shifts in local transport policy in a generation, the Liverpool City Region has appointed 2 new operators to run its 1st publicly controlled bus services since the 1980s.
This marks the beginning of a major transformation that will see the Region’s buses brought back under local control - delivering a more reliable network, that is better connected and built around the needs of passengers.
In 2023, Mayor Steve Rotheram took the landmark decision to bring bus services in the Region back into public control. This will mean the Combined Authority, rather than private operators, will be able to set routes, fares and timetables – and become only the 2nd area outside of London to take back control of its bus network.
Following a competitive tender process, 2 operators have been appointed to operate the 1st locally controlled services in the Liverpool City Region since the 1980s, marking the biggest change to public transport in the Region for more than a generation.
The 1st phase of bus franchising will begin in St Helens and Wirral in autumn 2026, before rolling out across the whole Region by the end of 2027.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- “For hundreds of thousands of people across our Region, buses aren’t a ‘nice to have’ – they’re a lifeline. They’re how people get to work, to school, to hospital appointments, to see family and friends. But for too long, too many people have been let down by a system that put shareholders before passengers. For more than 40 years, buses have been run without proper accountability - services turning up late or not turning up at all; fares rising year after year; routes being cut with no thought for the communities left isolated as a result. People have felt they had no voice and no control. I understand that frustration - and it must change. That’s why we are taking back control. Franchising gives us the power to hold operators to account, to shape routes, fares and timetables around the needs of our area and its citizens. Today marks the start of a new era for buses in St Helens and Wirral - where passengers will always come 1st. Alongside our publicly-owned trains, we are putting the public back into public transport.”
From day 1 of the new system, passengers in St Helens and Wirral will see immediate improvements designed to make the network more dependable and easy-to-use. This includes more frequent and later running buses on key routes alongside an increase in the number of weekend services.
In St Helens, a brand-new express service to Liverpool John Lennon Airport will be launched, while in Wirral routes are being extended to provide better direct links to hospitals and rail stations.
Cllr Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Council said:- “Bus franchising is an example of devolution in action and how, as a City Region, we are delivering for our residents, businesses and the environment. I am delighted that the people of St Helens Borough will be among the 1st to benefit from better connectivity and more reliable, high-quality dependable bus services that will also help in our efforts relating to Net Zero. This is an exciting time for St Helens and alongside the St Helens Transport Interchange development, construction of which is well underway, bus franchising will truly transform the way people travel to, from and around our borough in the coming years.”
Cllr Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said:- “The introduction of bus franchising is a landmark moment for Wirral and a major step forward for our residents, businesses and visitors. Every single day, buses connect tens of thousands of our residents with jobs, education, healthcare and each other, so it’s essential that services are reliable, affordable and designed around how people actually travel. Bringing buses back under public control marks a significant change after decades in which local areas had little influence over routes, timetables or fares. Franchising puts passengers first and gives us the ability to shape a network that better reflects local needs. With Wirral among the 1st areas to see this new system introduced, residents will benefit from stronger connections to hospitals, rail stations and services that support both our local economy and our ambitions for a cleaner, more sustainable transport system.”
Rob Jones, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester & Merseyside said:- “We are extremely proud to have been chosen for this crucial contract, which underlines our long-term commitment in the Liverpool City Region. We have a fantastic local team who have a proud history of serving communities in and around the Liverpool City Region, and we are honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of delivering reliable and high-quality services under this new franchise. We are looking forward to working in partnership with the Mayor and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, as we have a shared goal to deliver outstanding service for a brighter future for our Region. We would also like to express our thanks to all of our dedicated colleagues. We value their contribution and are committed to supporting them through the transition process as we move to the new operating model.”
Matt Carney, CEO, Go-Ahead Bus added:- “We’re really grateful to the LCRCA for entrusting us with this privilege and we look forward to making a positive impact on the community. Securing this contract is an exciting step for Go-Ahead and a clear demonstration of our commitment to deliver world-class public transport.”
Greater local control of the bus network is a key part of Mayor Rotheram’s wider vision for a fully integrated transport system that is quicker, simpler, and more affordable.
Hundreds of millions of pounds are being invested in new buses, depots and infrastructure upgrades to support the transition to a franchised network. This includes the purchase of more than 100 new all-electric double-decker buses, as the city region builds on its commitment to becoming net zero carbon by 2035.
Funding to modernise the bus network comes on the back of the announcement of a historic £1.6bn transport funding settlement secured from government, which will help deliver new rail stations, walking and cycling routes and a new rapid transit system.
Accountability will be at the heart of all new operator contracts, with customer-focused targets for punctuality, reliability and bus cleanliness built in from day 1.
To support this, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is investing further in its integrated transport contact centre and delivering a new set of enhanced digital tools. These will include improved online ticket purchasing and journey‑planning services, offering simplified fares and real‑time travel information to ensure a better experience for passengers across the Region.
This is also alongside several years of record-level investment in transport infrastructure across the Liverpool City Region, with major projects including the rollout of a £500m fleet of state-of-the-art trains, the extension of the Merseyrail network to Headbolt Lane in Kirkby and the building of the 1st new Mersey Ferry in more than 60 years.
