BUS passengers have given a mixed verdict on the new buses in St Helens, with many praising their comfort and appearance, while others have highlighted concerns over seating and punctuality.
The new vehicles were introduced as bus services across the area returned to being under public control, marking a major change in how services are operated across the Liverpool City Region.
Many passengers welcomed the upgraded buses, describing them as more comfortable and modern than the vehicles they replaced.
Speaking today to the Star outside the temporary bus station, these passengers gave their assessment of the first six days of the new network.
John McGregor, from Wigan, said: “The buses are very comfy - the one we get has been great. They are very comfortable and look much better than the other ones. I think everyone likes the improvement.”
Grace Crosby, who regularly uses the 352 service to Orrell, also spoke positively about the changes.
She said: “I found them right. I get the 352 Orrell and it was quite comfortable.”
Kelsey Hull, from Thatto Heath, said the buses had made her daily journeys easier.
She said: “I like the new buses so far. I take my son to school in Chain Lane and they’ve been great.
“It’s a much better design.”
Anthony Holt, from Blackbrook, who travels to Liverpool for work, was also impressed.
He said: “I like them. I get the bus to Liverpool for work and it’s really good. It’s really comfy.
“I know they are the double-decker ones, but I’ve had no complaints so far and the Wi-Fi is decent.”
However, some passengers expressed concerns about the layout of the buses, particularly the seating arrangements around wheelchair and buggy spaces.
Pauline Howlett, from Clock Face, said: “If you have a pram you have to stand up. I know that my husband said he wouldn’t be happy if that was me.
“They’ve done away with the seats where the buggies and prams and wheelchairs go. They used to be fold-down seats there but now there isn’t.”
Jackie Shepard, from Eccleston, shared similar concerns.
She said: “I wouldn’t say I’m overly impressed so far. I think that the space for wheelchairs takes up a lot of space, which is fine, but they should’ve kept the fold-down chairs so there was an option for people to sit there as it is they don’t have them now.
“When we get to Cambridge Road, there was a queue and then after people got on the bus, there wasn’t enough seats for everyone.”
Other passengers pointed to issues with reliability.
Rita Leyland said: “I have been waiting for the bus and I’m now late for my hair appointment because it’s 20 minutes late.
“I do think they look nice but so far I’m not impressed.”
Pauline Lunt praised drivers and staff but said delays had become a regular frustration.
She said: “The staff have been very helpful. It’s not their fault but they are regularly late these buses.
“It might be teething problems but I would’ve expected them to have worked through a lot of that by now.”
While opinion among passengers remains divided, the majority agreed the new buses represent a noticeable improvement in comfort and appearance, even as some call for improvements to seating provision and punctuality as services settle into life under local control.
The Comined Authority, meanwhile, said the first week of the new franchised bus network in St Helens, operated by Stagecoach, has seen more than 110,000 passenger journeys made, with "residents already taking advantage of more frequent services, better weekend connections and new travel opportunities".
The authority said feedback from passengers has highlighted how improved timetables are helping people get to college, travel to work, visit family and friends and access destinations across the city region more easily.
One of the most popular additions has been the new X3 service to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, improving access to employment opportunities and strengthening connections between St Helens and the wider region.
The successful launch represented one of the biggest transport mobilisations undertaken by the authority, with 111 buses transferred into service ahead of the first day of operation.
Reflecting on the first week, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “This has been a really encouraging first week and I want to thank everyone in St Helens for getting behind our new network.
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“Bringing our buses back under public control was never change for change’s sake. It was about giving us the power to build a bus network around the needs of our communities – one that connects people to jobs, education and opportunity, and gives them a service they can rely on.
“For too long, too many decisions about our buses were driven by commercial considerations rather than what was best for passengers.
"Franchising is letting us change that and put the public back at the heart of public transport.
“We’re still at the very beginning of that journey, and there will always be lessons to learn with a change on this scale.
"But the early signs in St Helens are really positive and give us a strong foundation to build on as we take back control of buses across the whole Liverpool City Region.”
The rollout means that 32% of the Liverpool City Region's bus network is now operated using publicly owned buses, including the region's electric fleet operating from the Gillmoss depot, marking another significant step towards a fully integrated transport network, the authority said.
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