A REVIEW into bus services in St Helens has been launched.

Merseytravel – part of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority – carries out regular bus network reviews across Merseyside, with the aim of creating an improved and simpler network.

St Helens is the latest area in the City Region to be reviewed, which will ask service users for feedback on bus services in the borough.

Merseytravel said part of the review will look at the current supported bus network and consider how “increasingly limited public resources” can be focused where there is most need.

Cllr Keith Roberts, St Helens Council ward councillor for Parr, said he does not think the review will see many improvements due to the extent of changes carried out following the previous review in 2016.

However, he said there is some “disquiet” in certain areas where services have been lost and urged members of the public to make their voices heard.

“It’s down to the public to make their point,” he said.

“I think a lot of people who use them are quite happy with what they have got, but there is some disquiet in some areas like Earlestown, where some buses have been taken off.

“It’s down to these people who live in that area to raise it. It is not for me to raise because it’s a public consultation.

“They (Merseytravel) want the public to get on to them and tell them what is wrong”

As part of the review, service users are being asked to provide feedback on bus services in the area, through an online survey, which will help inform potential changes.

A drop-in event with representatives from Merseytravel will be held in Church Square on Tuesday, July 31 from 10am to 3pm.

Following the review, any proposed changes to the network will be published on its website and a new online survey will be published to allow for further feedback.

Merseytravel said it is “anticipated” that it will work with the operators to re-route some commercial services – those without public subsidy – to cover areas previously served by publicly supported services.

The travel authority said it will work with the operators in the area to “endeavour” that passengers will have alternative provision available within their area if a service is removed or changed.

To make the network easier to understand, Merseytravel said it will also look for services on the same routes to operate under the same number whatever the time of day where possible.

The initial consultation stage is due to end at 5pm on Thursday, August 9.

Any changes recommended in the report will come into effect in April 2019.

For more information email: comments@merseytravel.gov.uk or visit merseytravel.gov.uk/busreview