Bus Ambassador

Preserved buses from the Corporation, PTE and privatisation eras took to the road on Saturday 10th October for the 2026 Mersey Road Run, a members-only event run by the North West Vehicle Restoration Trust (NWVRT). The convoy travelled from Jackson Street garage in St Helens to Laird Street garage in Birkenhead via Liverpool city centre, just over a fortnight before the Wirral becomes the second part of the Liverpool City Region to have its buses brought under public control. Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador) We joined the NWVRT for the day, along with local preservation groups Merseyside Transport Trust and the 201 Bus Group. The run marked the end of four decades of deregulated bus services on Merseyside and 125 years of Laird Street garage, and one brand-new bus was there to show what comes next.

Seven British-built Treka CitySprint minibuses are entering service in the Liverpool City Region, giving the new franchised Metro bus network a compact option for routes where larger buses are not suitable. The vehicles are built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, with bodywork by Treka Bus at its factory in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. They have been delivered to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA). Three have gone to St Helens and four to Wirral. Treka Bus St Helens became the first part of the city region to bring its buses back under public control on 6th September. Wirral follows on 25th October 2026, and bus franchising will then be extended across the rest of the region throughout 2027.

Alexander Dennis has won an order for at least 207 low- and zero-emission buses from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority , days before the region starts running bus services under public control in St Helens.

Hot on the heels of the recent bus franchising update for St Helens, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has confirmed the detail behind one of its headline promises for St Helens. A brand-new X3 express service will link St Helens town centre directly to Liverpool John Lennon Airport , putting more than 25,000 extra residents within a 60-minute journey of the terminal and over 100,000 within 80 minutes once onward rail and bus connections are counted.

From Sunday 6th September 2026, St Helens becomes the first place in the Liverpool City Region to see its buses come back under public control and the improvements landing on Day One are by no means insignificant. Two-hourly routes are being upgraded to hourly, evening and weekend timetables are being extended and a brand-new express link to Liverpool John Lennon Airport is being introduced from the off.

Liverpool Cruise Port has recently taken delivery of two brand new, fully electric Karsan e-JEST buses, a welcome and well-timed addition that marks another positive step in the port's journey towards a cleaner, quieter and more sustainable operation. Liverpool Cruise Port

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has completed a multimillion-pound electrification project at Stagecoach's Gillmoss depot in North Liverpool, paving the way for over 100 new publicly owned battery-electric buses to enter service this week.

After four decades of deregulation, Liverpool City Region is about to try something decidedly unfashionable in the 1980s, but very on trend in 2026. Putting buses back under public control. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Families and tourists heading to the seaside this summer are once again enjoying scenic rides on an open-top bus, as Stagecoach brings back a popular open top bus service along the Wallasey coastline.

A second rapid transit vehicle will begin road testing in the Liverpool City Region this month, as part of Mayor Steve Rotheram’s pledge to roll out a new fleet of high capacity ‘gliders’ across the region by the end of 2028.

Bus services across the Liverpool City Region are set for a major transformation, with plans for a fully publicly-run bus network moving forward at pace. The introduction of a franchised system will see services brought under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years, promising more frequent buses, better connections and improved infrastructure. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Franchising is Coming Sooner Than Planned You’ve probably heard about the move to bus franchising—where routes, fares and timetables will be planned by the public sector rather than private companies—but here’s what’s happening next. The first phase kicks off in St Helens and Wirral, with the new system up and running by September 2026. The whole region should be fully franchised by the end of 2027, a year ahead of schedule. Mayor Steve Rotheram, said: “Reliable, regular, and affordable buses are the backbone of a great public transport system. They connect people to work, education, and each ...

In a move that’s sure to shake up the bus scene in the Liverpool City Region, Tower Transit Group, part of the Kelsian Group, has taken over local bus operator Huyton Travel, otherwise known as HTL Buses.

The Liverpool City Region is gearing up for a transport transformation, with Arriva investing £14 million in 46 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 buses. These state-of-the-art single-deck, low-emission vehicles are now hitting the roads across the region, bringing passengers a smoother, greener and more comfortable travel experience. Arriva Bus UK This isn’t just about adding buses to the network; it’s a strategic step in creating a London-style, integrated public transport system. The buses, decked out in the Liverpool City Region’s bold yellow, black and grey livery, represent a shift towards a unified, accessible network. For passengers, it means a journey that’s as modern and efficient as the big-city systems they’ve long envied. Let’s unpack why this fleet is making waves and how it’s set to redefine public transport in Merseyside. A Closer Look: The Alexander Dennis Enviro200 The Alexander Dennis Enviro200 is a well-regarded choice for operators, and it’s easy to see why Arriva picked i...

Alright, let’s rewind. Back in 2010, when I first launched the Merseyside Bus Blog, I was all about the nitty-gritty—the bus routes, timetables and the little details that make our transport system tick. Over the years, though, the blog’s evolved. My focus has broadened, but today, I’m taking it back to where it all began—to those small but meaningful details that make my local transport system work.

Those familiar with the blog will know the author is proudly based in Birkenhead, so it's always a delight to see further investment in a local bus operator. Al’s Coaches – or Happy Al’s to many – has been a family-run fixture in the North West since 1972, earning its place as one of the region’s top bus and coach providers.

The Liverpool City Region is gearing up for a major transport shake-up, and here’s a key stop along the way: an eagerly awaited express bus service is making its comeback on 16th December, albeit on a trial basis. Say goodbye to those winding old routes—this one’s set to whisk you from Runcorn to Liverpool in just 50 minutes. Since the X1 route was scrapped in 2022, commuters have been calling for its return, and Mayor Steve Rotheram has delivered.

Big things are happening in St Helens. Designs for a brand-new transport interchange and shiny civic square are about to hit the spotlight and they’re aiming to transform the town centre. Fancy a peek? The plans are being shown off this week before the next big planning application gets the go-ahead – all part of a grand scheme to regenerate the area.

In a landmark moment for sustainable transport in Liverpool, Mayor Steve Rotheram today revealed the new livery for the Liverpool City Region's publicly owned bus fleet. The announcement was accompanied by news of a major investment in electric buses, marking another significant milestone in the region's journey towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2035.

Starting from this Sunday the 1st of September 2024, passengers and employees travelling to Liverpool John Lennon Airport will benefit from significant enhancements to the 86A bus service. Operated by Arriva North West, this popular route, which links the airport with the city centre, will see its daytime frequency doubled, providing a huge boost to public transport connectivity across the region.

Residents of the Liverpool City Region are getting their first look at a cutting-edge rapid transport 'Glider,' set to enhance journeys to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the city's football stadia by 2028.