Bus cuts coming in St Helens without 'proper warning or adequate consultation'

Mr McGinn says changes have been brought in without "proper warning or adequate consultation" and he raised fears about how older people will be hit.

The MP said: “I’m disappointed that sudden changes to local bus timetables are set to hit local residents and commuters with reduced services. 

“This news came without proper warning or adequate consultation of our community.

“I am particularly concerned at the impact on older people in some of our rural areas and villages who rely on the bus."

Conor McGinn

As reported yesterday, St Helens Borough Council highlighted how driver shortages has led to changes being made to a number of evening and weekend services, including the 10, 17, 20, 30, 32, 32A, 33, 34, 34A, 35, 37, 38A, 89 and 156.

The council has no control of the running of buses, but it is calling for a solution to the current challenges faced nationally around service tender, driver recruitment and retention issues in the bus market.

This is believed to be caused as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and a shortage of HGV drivers.

Mr McGinn added: “I’m working hard with leaders and officials at St Helens Council to press for urgent assurances from Merseytravel, Liverpool City Region and operators to secure the future of these services, and to ensure they are restored as quickly as possible for those who need them."

In a statement, Councillor Andy Bowden said: “These changes – which are out of the council’s control – will have a significant impact on bus users in the borough.

"However, council officers and my colleagues on the Liverpool City Region transport committee are seeking assurances that action is being taken to address these service cuts.

“Our priority is to see these services restored and we will be working with colleagues at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and bus operators to find solutions as soon as possible.”

After the Star approached Merseytravel over the situation, the passenger transport authority responded with a statement from Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region.

The Metro Mayor said he wanted greater control over bus services to make them more reliable, affordable and attractive: “Communities in St Helens, like many across our city region, rely on the bus every day.

"82 per cent of all public transport journeys in the region are taken by bus, so we need to make sure passengers are being given the best possible service; one that will encourage more people to ditch the car and get on public transport. 

“Unfortunately, the historic deregulation of bus services has meant that private operators are able to keep the routes which are most profitable while cutting others.

Steve Rotheram

"Through Merseytravel we’re able to support some of these vital services, but not as many as are needed.

"The crises caused by Covid and HGV driver shortage only exacerbate these underlying issues. 

“I want to use the powers available to me as Mayor of the Liverpool City Region to take greater control over bus services to make them more reliable, affordable and attractive. 

 “But government need to live up to their promise of levelling up and provide regions like ours with the same kind of funding for transport services they do for London, where spending per head is nearly three times what it is in the north.”