Liverpool Announces Franchising to Improve City Region Bus Services

The Liverpool City Region is taking a significant step towards enhancing its bus services throughout the region. Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced plans to introduce franchising, a move that will allow the region to have more control over bus routes and fares.

Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador)

A New Era for Public Transport in Liverpool

Mayor Rotheram believes that this decision marks the beginning of a new era for public transport in Liverpool. He stated, 

“Today marks the start of a new era for public transport in our area – we’re taking back control of our buses!

“Hundreds of thousands of people in our area rely on buses to get about every day, with 82% of all public transport journeys taken by bus. Yet, for far too long, our residents have been forced to contend with a second-class service that places profit before passengers and leaves behind the very people who need it most.

“Today we have chosen a completely new course for the future of our buses. Under franchising, we will have greater control over fares, tickets and routes to ensure that bus services are run in the best interests of passengers – not shareholders.

“Whilst it will take a few years to reregulate the whole network, and the change will be transformational – it is not one that will happen overnight. There are several stages that we still need to go through before we can expect to see franchised buses on our roads.

“By turning back the clock on nearly 40 years of failed deregulation, we’re putting our buses back where they belong: under public control. It is another massive step forward on our journey to building an integrated London-style transport network that will make getting around our region faster, cheaper, greener, simpler and more reliable.”

The Benefits of Franchising

Under the franchising system, the Liverpool region will gain more control over fares, tickets, and routes. This shift is aimed at ensuring that bus services are operated in the best interests of passengers.

Although Mayor Rotheram believes this change will be "transformational," it won't happen overnight. There are several stages to go through before Liverpool can fully implement the franchising system.

These plans are expected to pave the way for a more integrated public transport system, similar to what is seen in London. Features may include contactless ticketing and capped fares across Liverpool's buses and trains.

Challenges with Current Bus Services

Buses in Merseyside have long been criticised for their unreliability and high costs. Consultations with passengers have revealed that approximately 15% of services in the region are considered commercially unviable and rely on subsidies from local authorities, costing around £14 million each year.

Matthew Topham, a campaigner at the Better Buses for Merseyside passenger group, stated,

"Merseyside has been the victim of 37 years of Thatcherite failure. A network run in the interests of bus company shareholders, often based overseas, would never deliver for the public."

Mayor Rotheram's decision aligns Liverpool with Greater Manchester, where Mayor Andy Burnham has already initiated the move towards public control, putting the region alongside European countries where public control of transport is the norm.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

A Historical Perspective

Buses in Britain outside London were privatised and deregulated in 1986 by the Conservative government. However, legislation passed in 2017 granted mayors the power to introduce franchising, although the process has proven to be challenging.

Greater Manchester's Progress

Greater Manchester has already made strides in this direction, bringing the first part of its bus network under public control in September 2023. The yellow-branded Bee Network now serves 50 routes to Bolton and Wigan. The aim is to have all bus routes franchised by the start of 2025, with fares and timetables integrated with the Metrolink tram services.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, Mayor Tracy Brabin of West Yorkshire is set to decide in early 2024 whether to franchise buses in her region, following a public consultation. Leeds anticipates the introduction of a promised mass transit tram and bus system.

By introducing franchising, Liverpool is taking a significant step towards improving its public transport services and putting passengers' needs first, in line with other progressive cities in the UK.