Merseytravel open major consultation on St Helens bus network

Merseytravel is looking to create a simpler, clearer, and where possible, more direct network that can help encourage more people to take the bus by making it easier for people to understand how they get where they want to go and in the most efficient way.

It is part of the Bus Alliance, a formal partnership with operators Arriva and Stagecoach,

The review is seeking feedback and information from the public about how they use the bus network, particularly any supported bus service – those that are wholly funded publicly by Merseytravel.

A drop-in event was held yesterday at Church Square in St Helens, where members of the public had the opportunity to speak to representatives from Merseytravel and Arriva about bus services across the area, how they are used and what might encourage people to use them more.

The event was popular and provided useful feedback which will help to inform any changes to the bus network.

There will be three more drop-in events taking place across the St Helens borough over the next few weeks:

• Monday 23rd May, 11am – 3pm – St Helens Bus Station

• Tuesday 24th May, 11am – 3pm – Earlestown Bus Station

• Tuesday 31st May, 9:30am – 5pm – Church Square, St Helens

With help from the feedback received at these events, proposed changes to the network will be drafted and another drop-in event scheduled to give the public an opportunity to comment on them, details of which will be published on the Merseytravel website.

It is likely Merseytravel will work with the operators to extend or re-route some commercial services (i.e. those without public subsidy) to cover areas previously served by publicly supported services.

A Merseytravel spokesperson said: "To make the network easier to understand we are also planning for services on the same routes operating under the same number whatever the time of day where possible.

"We will be working with Arriva, the main operator in the area, to ensure that passengers will have alternative provision available within their area if a service is removed or changed. Any changes will come into effect in September 2016."

Further details of the bus network reviews can be found on the Merseytravel website at www.merseytravel.gov.uk/busreview

Cllr Liam Robinson, Chair of Merseytravel said: “St Helens is the second area to be reviewed in a series of bus network reviews right across the City Region. We want to create a simpler, clearer and easy to understand network as part of broader plans to encourage more people to take the bus.

“Through our close working with Arriva as part of the Bus Alliance we are able to work innovatively at a time when other areas, due to budget pressures, are having to significantly reduce or even remove all their supported bus services leaving some communities without services altogether.

“We want the supported and commercial bus network to work seamlessly as one and this work will help us achieve that.

“We recognise the importance of speaking to bus users, both existing and potential, to find out how we can meet their needs best within budget constraints – something not all areas do.”

Howard Farrall, area managing director of Arriva North West, said: “St Helens is a key part of Arriva’s Merseyside services and we’re pleased to working with Merseytravel on this network review to create a more effective bus network .

“As well as working to create a clearer network, Arriva is making a major commitment to the LCR Bus Alliance through fleet upgrades to provide cleaner, Wi-Fi enabled buses as well as simpler fares structures such as the recently-introduced flat fare for Merseyside.

"Our aim is to drive passenger growth by making improvements for existing passengers while attracting new ones.”

Key work areas will include:

• A review of the City Region bus network;

• Investment in new and greener vehicles;

• On board Wi-Fi and at-seat USB charging points on all new vehicles;

• Improved bus links to and from John Lennon Airport;

• Streamlined service changes to make bus services more stable;

• Simpler ticketing and a review of zonal structures and pricing;

• Review of all customer information including more Real Time Information;

• Better integration of bus and rail services;

• Improved Customer Service training for all bus drivers.