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Showing posts from October, 2023

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LCR to Secure Bus Depots in Major Franchising Move

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Bus services across the Liverpool City Region are set for a major transformation, with plans for a fully publicly-run bus network moving forward at pace. The introduction of a franchised system will see services brought under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years, promising more frequent buses, better connections and improved infrastructure. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Franchising is Coming Sooner Than Planned You’ve probably heard about the move to bus franchising—where routes, fares and timetables will be planned by the public sector rather than private companies—but here’s what’s happening next. The first phase kicks off in St Helens and Wirral, with the new system up and running by September 2026. The whole region should be fully franchised by the end of 2027, a year ahead of schedule. Mayor Steve Rotheram, said: “Reliable, regular, and affordable buses are the backbone of a great public transport system. They connect people to work, education, and each ...

Transdev Announces £7.5m Order for 15 Mercedes-Benz E-Citaro Buses

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A significant development has been announced by Transdev today. The Keighley Bus Company have made a substantial £7.5 million investment in 15 new electric buses, aimed at transforming one of their most popular routes, The Shuttle, which connects Keighley and Bradford in West Yorkshire, into a zero-emission operation. Alex Hornby With support of £3.1 million from the Government's Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) fund, secured through a successful bid by their partner, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, this initiative is set to make a real impact. The 15 electric buses are all Mercedes-Benz E-Citaro models. This comes on the heels of another order for 20 similar vehicles that will be deployed in the Leeds, Wetherby and Harrogate areas. These new buses are designed to meet the requirements of Bradford's Clean Air Zone, which was launched in September 2022 and covers all vehicles except private cars and motorcycles. Notably, one year on, Bradford has reported its lowest r...

Liverpool Announces Franchising to Improve City Region Bus Services

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The Liverpool City Region is taking a significant step towards enhancing its bus services throughout the region. Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced plans to introduce franchising, a move that will allow the region to have more control over bus routes and fares. Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador) A New Era for Public Transport in Liverpool Mayor Rotheram believes that this decision marks the beginning of a new era for public transport in Liverpool. He stated,  “Today marks the start of a new era for public transport in our area – we’re taking back control of our buses! “Hundreds of thousands of people in our area rely on buses to get about every day, with 82% of all public transport journeys taken by bus. Yet, for far too long, our residents have been forced to contend with a second-class service that places profit before passengers and leaves behind the very people who need it most. “Today we have chosen a completely new course for the future of our buses. Under franchising, we will hav...