Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram says the biggest shake-up of Liverpool city region bus services in four decades will now happen a year earlier than planned. Tony McDonough reports
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram says his bus franchising plan will begin its roll-out a year earlier than originally planned.
In the biggest shake-up to Liverpool city region bus services since Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s deregulation of buses in 1986, the Combined Authority will take control of routes, fares, and timetables to “prioritise passengers over private profits”.
Mr Rotheram says that from day one of the rollout, passengers will benefit from more frequent services, extended routes, and better links to hospitals and railway stations.
A new express service between St Helens and Liverpool John Lennon Airport will also be introduced, with further enhancements being explored elsewhere as the rollout progresses.
First phase of the franchising model will begin in St Helens in 2026, with Wirral next, before rolling out across all six boroughs by the end of 2027.
“Reliable, regular, and affordable buses are the backbone of a great public transport system,” said the Mayor. “They connect people to work, education, and each other – but for too long, our services have been run in the interests of private operators, not passengers.
“That’s why I took the historic decision to bring our buses back under public control – a move backed by nearly 70% of people in our region.
READ MORE: easyJet to offer new winter sun route from Liverpool
READ MORE: Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 to return to Liverpool in 2025
“For the first time in nearly 40 years, we will have the power to set fares, routes, and timetables, ensuring that buses work for the people who rely on them. And because we’re moving faster than planned, more communities will feel the benefits even sooner.”
At next week’s Combined Authority meeting, leaders will consider a £119m investment in new buses, depots, and infrastructure upgrades to support the transition. This includes the £32m purchase of new all-electric double-decker buses.
The Combined Authority’s wider £400m capital programme for 2025/26 includes £46m for rail improvements, including progress on the new Baltic Station (£25m), better accessibility at existing stations (£8m), and expanded capacity at Sandhills (£4m).
There will also be £15m for the Mersey Ferries, including the first new ferry in more than 60 years, £17m for Mersey Tunnels upgrades and funding for smart ticketing, electric vehicle infrastructure, and active travel routes. 94% of the cash will come from Government.
Mayor Rotheram added: “This isn’t just about getting from A to B – it’s about transforming how people move around our city region, cutting congestion, improving air quality, and building a transport system that is cleaner, greener, and fit for the future.”