Liverpool’s two main bus companies have announced that they will be running 24-hour bus services in Liverpool.

Arriva and Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire will introduce a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week service on two of the city’s busiest routes from Sunday, September 4th.

The extended service will come into effect on the 86 and 86A buses, which cover a major route for commuters, students, and holiday makers – running from Liverpool One via Smithdown Road to Penny Lane and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The new 24/7 offer will see the Stagecoach 86 service will run between Liverpool One and Penny Lane, while the Arriva 86A will extend to Liverpool South Parkway and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Buses will start leaving Liverpool One every 30 minutes between 12.29am and 4.59am. The Arriva 86A will leave at 29 past the hour and the Stagecoach 86 service will leave at 59 minutes past each hour. The full daytime timetable and route will then kick back in after 5am for Arriva services and 6.30am for Stagecoach services.

Looking at expanding services outside core hours is one of the work areas of the Bus Alliance which is seeing Arriva, Merseytravel and Stagecoach work together to transform local bus services in an effort to encourage more people to take the bus.

Rob Jones, Operations Director at Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, said:

“We’re really pleased to be launching this new service, which will give people much more flexibility when choosing how they travel when they’ve got somewhere to be late at night or first thing in the morning.

“The 86 is one of our busiest routes and this extended service will no doubt be particularly welcome for commuters, students and people enjoying Liverpool’s great night life. We look forward to launching the new service and giving people a comfortable, affordable and quick transport option that’s available all day and all night!”

Howard Farrall, Manging Director at Arriva Merseyside, said:

“Arriva is delighted to be expanding and enhancing Liverpool’s bus transport network. The 86A is a key route for commuters and students, but we’re also expecting this route to be a real life-line for people looking to catch early flights or those who work at John Lennon Airport.

“Connecting our city and improving networks to ensure that people get a world-class welcome when they arrive and when they leave this amazing city is key, so it’s great to be improving access both for city residents and those visiting from further afield and offering a brilliant 24/7 service!”

Cllr Liam Robinson, Chair of the Merseytravel Committee, said:

“The City Region’s bus strategy recognises that employment shift patterns and the night time economy mean a desire for public transport outside historic core hours. As part of the Bus Alliance we’ve worked with Arriva and Stagecoach operators to extend services on some of the busiest routes. If they are successful we would encourage operators to potentially trial extended hours on other routes.”

Normal ticketing will apply on night time journeys meaning people using the service won’t have to pay any more for night time journeys than they do in the day.

Arriva and Stagecoach day, week and long-term tickets will also be accepted.

Arriva Day and Weekly savers are also valid for travel on Stagecoach 86 journeys and Stagecoach day and weekly tickets are valid for travel on Arriva’s 86A between Liverpool One and Liverpool South Parkway. Single and return tickets are also available.

You can find out more at: www.arrivabus.co.uk/86a-24-7 or www.stagecoachbus.com

Stagecoach will also be running night bus service on Friday and Saturday nights on route N1 between Liverpool, Birkenhead Ellesmere Port and Chester from September 9 further enhancing evening routes in the city.