Liverpool City Region secures £86.3m for bus franchising

The Liverpool City Region is to receive £86.3 million in government funding until 2029 to enable public control of its bus services. This funding, alongside a share of a new £3 million pot for mayors to take control of services, aims to improve reliability, frequency, and affordability for passengers. Over 93 million bus passenger journeys were recorded in the region last year.

Franchising rollout begins

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Bus services in St Helens will be the first to be franchised, with the Wirral set to follow later this year. The wider rollout across the Liverpool City Region is planned for 2027. This approach, similar to London and Greater Manchester, will give local leaders more influence over routes, branding, and fares.

For nearly 40 years, bus deregulation has failed communities like ours. Routes have been chopped and changed, fares have risen and local leaders have been left without the power to shape a service that millions of people rely on every year.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region

Mayor Steve Rotheram stated that bus deregulation over the past four decades had led to inconsistent routes and rising fares, leaving local authorities without the power to shape services. He highlighted that the new franchised system would allow decisions on bus routes, frequency, and passenger fares to be made in the interests of the community. The Department for Transport confirmed that this initiative is part of a wider government mission to shift power to local leaders.

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Government support for local control

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said the funding and powers would allow those most familiar with Liverpool's bus network to deliver improved services. He noted this as a significant achievement for Mayor Rotheram's efforts to prioritise buses within the community and aligned with the government's objective of returning power to local hands. The announcement follows other measures such as the national £2 bus fare cap and the extension of free bus travel for disabled people.