A series of public consultations have begun as part of plans to simplify Liverpool’s bus network – which will include synchronising route numbers on competing services. Working as part of the Liverpool City Region Bus Alliance, a formal partnership which has been in place since the end of September with operators Arriva and Stagecoach, Merseytravel is looking to create a simpler network by next summer.
The transport authority said: “Any changes will come into effect in July 2017. To make the network easier to understand, we’re planning for services on the same routes to operate under the same number whatever the time of day where possible.
“Part of the review has been looking at the current supported bus network and considering how increasingly limited public resources can be focused where there is most need. It is anticipated that we will work with the operators to extend or re-route some commercial services (i.e. those without public subsidy) to cover areas previously served by publicly supported services.”
Cllr Liam Robinson, Chairman of Merseytravel said: “We’re aiming to create a simpler, clearer and easy to understand network as part of broader plans to encourage more people to take the bus and the latest stage in doing this is now taking place with the Liverpool bus network review. Through our close working with the bus operators as part of the Bus Alliance, we are able to work innovatively at a time when budget pressures are causing other areas across the country to significantly reduce or even remove all their supported bus services leaving some communities without services altogether. Speaking to bus users is important as it helps us to find out how we can meet their needs best within budget constraints – something not all areas do.”
Further details of the network reviews and the consultations can be found at: https://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/about-us/Pages/BusReview.aspx.
