The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority could be a step closer to introducing new and more frequent bus services, as well as safer stops, thanks to a substantial grant. Public transport is undergoing one of the most significant overhauls in generations with the anticipated introduction of bus franchising and new electric buses set to transform the region's roads in the coming year
The authority is being asked this week to accept a £20m grant from the Department of Transport (DfT) to aid the region's bus service improvement plan. This represents the second round of funding provided by the DfT, following a £12m investment between 2022 and this year.
The initial funding helped introduce the £2 single capped fare, which the combined authority has confirmed it will maintain until September. The national cap was increased to £3 in last autumn's budget.
In December, it was announced that the Liverpool City Region was set to receive £20m for 2025-26. The Department of Transport has reiterated its commitment to Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) as a means of providing transparency to the public through a local plan to enhance bus services.
Leaders of the city region will deliberate on the acceptance of a significant grant this Friday at Mann Island. Pre-meeting documents indicate the BSIP Delivery Plan will be selectively focusing on routes and services expected to maximise long-term ridership growth, whilst ensuring key social and economic community connections are sustained, aligning with goals to launch franchising potentially from next year.
In Merseyside, approximately 80% of journeys are undertaken by bus, with the six local authority areas within the city region boasting some of the highest bus usage rates per capita nationally. The awarded Bus Grant aims to make "a real difference to improve bus services" encompassing enhancements such as new and more frequent journeys, secure and accessible stops and interchanges, plus augmentations in service reliability and timeliness.
News emerged last week that the combined authority has commissioned 50 new electric buses, and a £119m proposal to implement franchising beginning in St Helens in 2026 also awaits confirmation later in the week.
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