Leaders have agreed to accelerate plans for a fully publicly owned bus network. The first phase will begin in St Helens in 2026.
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00:00A publicly owned bus network could be fully rolled out across the Liverpool City Region 12 months ahead of schedule.
00:07It was announced in October 2023 that Metro Mersey Rotherham would seek to put buses back into public control under a franchising model.
00:16Now members of the City Region Combined Authority have agreed to move forward on enhanced plans for the scheme that will begin in St Helens from 2026.
00:26Members have also given the green light to a near £120 million capital budget to enable investment in new buses, depots and infrastructure upgrades to support the transition.
00:39The franchising system, which will put the bus network in public hands for the first time in more than four decades, will allow the Combined Authority control over bus routes, fares and timetables.
00:50The first phase will begin in St Helens, followed by Wirral, before rolling out across six boroughs by the end of 2027.
00:57Mr Rotherham also revealed what the model will mean for passengers, including the first new route.
01:02From day one, passengers in St Helens will be able to access a new express service to Liverpool Airport, route extensions to increase access to rail and hospital and the reinstatement of some weekend frequency.
01:14On the Wirral, low frequency service will be increased to a minimum of hourly. Some route revisions will also be made to improve access to health and interchange opportunities, as well as improved evening and Sunday frequencies.
01:26Mr Rotherham said the investment we're committing to will secure our plans and prioritise passengers over profit.
01:33As part of the franchising scheme, the Combined Authority has also agreed to embark on compulsory purchase orders to enable the construction of bus depots for the fleets of vehicles across the city region.