Stagecoach and Go-Ahead selected for first phase of Liverpool City Region bus franchising
Liverpool City Region has appointed Stagecoach and Go-Ahead as operators for its first publicly controlled bus services in more than 40 years. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has confirmed on January 23rd the operators that will deliver the first phase of its new bus franchising system, bringing buses back under public control for the […]
Liverpool City Region has appointed Stagecoach and Go-Ahead as operators for its first publicly controlled bus services in more than 40 years.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has confirmed on January 23rd the operators that will deliver the first phase of its new bus franchising system, bringing buses back under public control for the first time since deregulation in the 1980s. The move places Liverpool among a small group of English regions outside London to adopt a franchised public transport model, fundamentally changing how local bus services are planned, funded and delivered.
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Under the franchising framework, the Combined Authority will assume responsibility for setting routes, fares and timetables, while contracted operators focus on service delivery. The approach follows a decision taken in 2023 by Mayor Steve Rotheram to pursue public control of the bus network, citing long-term issues around reliability, rising fares and reduced accountability under the deregulated system.
Stagecoach has been selected to operate the franchised bus services based in St Helens, while Go-Ahead will run services in Wirral. These two areas will form the initial rollout of the Liverpool public transport franchising programme, with services expected to begin operating under the new contracts in autumn 2026. The Combined Authority plans to extend franchising across the full Liverpool City Region by the end of 2027.
The franchising programme is supported by wider capital investment in Liverpool public transport infrastructure. Hundreds of millions of pounds are being directed towards new buses, depots and system upgrades, including the introduction of more than 100 all-electric double-decker buses. These investments align with the city region’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2035 and sit alongside other major schemes, such as new Merseyrail rolling stock and network extensions.
Funding for the transformation is underpinned by a £1.6 billion transport settlement secured from central government in summer 2025, which is intended to support long-term improvements across rail, bus, walking and cycling infrastructure. Within this context, bus franchising is presented by the Combined Authority as a structural reform designed to integrate services more closely and prioritise passenger outcomes over commercial considerations.
Roadmap for franchising bus system in Liverpool
From launch, the authority says passengers in St Helens and Wirral will experience changes designed to improve the usability and dependability of public transport. These include adjustments to frequencies and operating hours on key corridors, an increase in weekend provision, and targeted route changes intended to improve access to employment, healthcare and rail connections. A new express link between St Helens and Liverpool John Lennon Airport is also planned as part of the initial service redesign.
Accountability is positioned as a core feature of the Liverpool franchising model, Liverpool City Region points out. Operator contracts will include performance requirements covering punctuality, reliability and vehicle standards, with the Combined Authority retaining oversight. Alongside operational reforms, Liverpool City Region is investing in customer-facing systems, including enhanced journey planning, online ticketing and real-time information tools, as part of a wider effort to simplify travel across the public transport network.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “For hundreds of thousands of people across our region, buses aren’t a ‘nice to have’ – they’re a lifeline. They’re how people get to work, to school, to hospital appointments, to see family and friends. But for too long, too many people have been let down by a system that put shareholders before passengers. For more than 40 years, buses have been run without proper accountability – services turning up late or not turning up at all; fares rising year after year; routes being cut with no thought for the communities left isolated as a result. People have felt they had no voice and no control. I understand that frustration – and it must change. That’s why we are taking back control. Franchising gives us the power to hold operators to account, to shape routes, fares and timetables around the needs of our area and its citizens. Today marks the start of a new era for buses in St Helens and Wirral – where passengers will always come first. Alongside our publicly-owned trains, we are putting the public back into public transport.”
Cllr Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Council said: “Bus franchising is an example of devolution in action and how, as a City Region, we are delivering for our residents, businesses and the environment. I am delighted that the people of St Helens Borough will be among the first to benefit from better connectivity and more reliable, high-quality dependable bus services that will also help in our efforts relating to Net Zero. This is an exciting time for St Helens and alongside the St Helens Transport Interchange development, construction of which is well underway, bus franchising will truly transform the way people travel to, from and around our borough in the coming years.”
Cllr Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said: “The introduction of bus franchising is a landmark moment for Wirral and a major step forward for our residents, businesses and visitors. Every single day, buses connect tens of thousands of our residents with jobs, education, healthcare and each other, so it’s essential that services are reliable, affordable and designed around how people actually travel. Bringing buses back under public control marks a significant change after decades in which local areas had little influence over routes, timetables or fares. Franchising puts passengers first and gives us the ability to shape a network that better reflects local needs. With Wirral among the first areas to see this new system introduced, residents will benefit from stronger connections to hospitals, rail stations and services that support both our local economy and our ambitions for a cleaner, more sustainable transport system.”
Rob Jones, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester & Merseyside said: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen for this crucial contract, which underlines our long-term commitment in the Liverpool City Region. We have a fantastic local team who have a proud history of serving communities in and around the Liverpool City Region, and we are honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of delivering reliable and high-quality services under this new franchise. We are looking forward to working in partnership with the Mayor and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, as we have a shared goal to deliver outstanding service for a brighter future for our region. We would also like to express our thanks to all of our dedicated colleagues. We value their contribution and are committed to supporting them through the transition process as we move to the new operating model.”
Matt Carney, CEO, Go-Ahead Bus added: “We’re really grateful to the LCRCA for entrusting us with this privilege and we look forward to making a positive impact on the community. Securing this contract is an exciting step for Go-Ahead and a clear demonstration of our commitment to deliver world-class public transport.”
