Mayor Steve Rotheram has launched a consultation on bus reform in the Liverpool City Region.
Local residents, businesses, trade unions and stakeholders are being asked to give feedback on a new bus franchising scheme proposed by the mayor and the combined authority.
Last year, the mayor and combined authority voted to confirm franchising as the region’s preferred future model for running the bus network and services. The region is one of only two places in the country to go to consultation.
Mayor Rotheram said: ‘Using the powers that devolution has given to us, I want to build a London-style integrated transport system that’s faster, cheaper, cleaner and more reliable – and that starts by taking back control of our buses to give us greater control over fares, routes and timetables. Working together, I want to put the ‘public’ back into public transport and build a fairer system that puts passengers before profit.
‘As we move a step closer to making that ambition a reality, I want our residents to have their say on our plans. So, whether you regularly take the bus or not, I’m encouraging everyone to get involved in this consultation and make their voice heard.’
The plans propose the introduction of a tap-in tap-out ticketing system with daily fare caps.
The mayor and combined authority also say they would enable buses to be integrated more effectively with other modes of transport, including the region’s new fleet of publicly-owned hydrogen buses and £500m trains.
