Bus services in Southport face being slashed with changes due to come in across the network.
Some current bus services will be axed and the frequency of other routes reduced, although new routes are also being introduced.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is blaming a combination of reduced passenger numbers, rising inflation and reduced funding from central government.
The organisation is proposing the changes as part of its ‘’Bus Network Change Proposals’ and is asking people to submit their views, although it admits that the scope for making any alterations to the proposals is unlikely.
In Southport, the 49 bus service will be axed, although three new services will come in.
The 20-minute number 44 bus service to and from Southport Hospital will become every hour.
The LCR says the benefits of the changes it is making will include:
- New services and improved links for the entire North Sefton network.
- Formby frequency to Ainsdale increased from four buses an hour to five.
- Increased hospital connections to the wider area of Southport.
- Bus connections created to Ainsdale, Birkdale, Southport Hospital and Crossens
Services are also affected across the Sefton, Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens and Knowsley areas.
People can share their views here.
A Liverpool City Region Combined Authority spokesperson said: “Pressures facing bus services including reduced passenger numbers on some bus routes and rising levels of inflation continue to be felt in the Liverpool City Region.
“Funding from central government, which has been supporting bus services, is due to end in the autumn of this year.
“As a consequence of this, it is proposed that changes to bus services in the Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral are introduced on 4th September 2022.
“Through the Liverpool City Region Bus Alliance we are engaging with bus users on the proposed changes to gather your feedback. This will then be used to understand the impact of the proposals and inform the final plans.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Government funding is ending in October. Why are the changes being made a month earlier?
On Merseyside there are agreed change dates on which revisions to bus services are made, to give stability to the bus network. Services change in September after the school summer holidays, so there would have been two sets of changes just a month apart.
Is there any point in leaving my feedback? Will it make a difference?
All feedback received will be considered. While there are limitations to what changes can be made to the proposals whilst ensuring that services will be sustainable, anything that cannot be acted on can be considered as services are reviewed at later times. Some of the positive changes that are being introduced from the 4th September are because of feedback previously received.
Will these changes be reviewed once they are implemented?
Yes. The Bus Operators and Merseytravel will be reviewing the impact of the changes and may make further changes accordingly.
I’ve been told that my service is being taken off from September, but I can’t see it listed here.
As well as the end to government funding, a number of Merseytravel contracted bus services were due for renewal from 4th September 2022. This tendering process took place in the spring of 2022 and is currently going through the award process. As such, some operators will have been informed that they will no longer be operating particular services from September, and this message is finding its way to passengers. If the provision of a service is changing, such the route or the frequency, then it will be listed on these pages, otherwise there is no major change planned to it. A full list of operator changes will be included in the update provided on 1st August 2022.
Will some services be changing bus operator?
Yes. As mentioned above, some contracted services will be changing operators as part of the tendering and awards process. These are not listed on these pages as the award process remains ongoing at this time so could be subject to change, and the purpose of this information is to inform passengers of changes in route or frequency provision. A full list of operator changes will be included in the update provided on 1st August 2022.
Are there any changes to services to schools?
Any requested changes to services to schools will have been discussed and agreed with the individual schools concerned and the information shared with pupils/parents by them. Updated timetables will be published on the Merseytravel website and Journey Planner information will be updated.
How will I find out the results of this engagement?
Once the feedback has been reviewed, a full list of confirmed service changes from 4th September will be published here on 1st August 2022. If you have signed up to ‘Project News’, you will receive a reminder e-mail subject to your accepted permissions.
Two weeks isn’t very long to gather feedback.
If the engagement process had begun earlier then services would not have had as long to recover and therefore the number or nature of changes may have been greater. Similarly, all bus services have to be registered with the Traffic Commissioner at least 6 weeks before they start, so if the engagement was open for longer there would be no time to meaningfully review the feedback.
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