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Mellor Unveils Next-Gen Strata Minibus

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Say hello to the all-new Strata – Mellor’s latest showstopper in the small bus world. It’s smarter, more accessible and packed with fresh features to make every journey smoother, greener and comfier. And yes, it’s still built right here in the UK. Mellor Bus Since its debut in 2016, the original Strata has earned its stripes as a reliable workhorse – now it’s back with a vengeance, ready to shake up the sector all over again. If you thought small buses were all the same, think again. Accessibility, meet ambition First up: big wins for accessibility. The reworked rear saloon now has just one step up from the low-floor section (down from two), reducing trip hazards and making things safer for everyone onboard. Passengers also get an extra 100mm of headroom – that’s a whole lot less crouching and a lot more comfort. Mellor Bus The low-floor area’s been stretched by 266mm, making space for four extra seats. In fact, there’s now room for up to twelve seats in the low-floor area alone – p...
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Liverpool City Region to Receive £110m Boost for Bus Network

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In a landmark announcement, Mayor Steve Rotheram has revealed plans to invest nearly £110 million in the Liverpool City Region bus network. This substantial funding aims to significantly enhance bus services across the area, reflecting a commitment to improving public transport for residents.

Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador)

Transformative Funding for Improved Services

If the plans are approved at next week’s Combined Authority meeting, the investment will target various aspects of the bus network. Key initiatives include improving journey times and reliability, upgrading and purchasing depot facilities and creating a brand new bus interchange in St Helens town centre.

Zero-Emission Buses and Infrastructure

A significant portion of the funding will be allocated to purchasing dozens of new zero-emission electric buses, building on the 58 electric double-deckers secured in April through the ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Area) fund. Additionally, the investment will support the reinstatement of dedicated bus lanes in Liverpool, which were removed in 2014.

Moving Towards Public Control

This funding boost comes as the Liverpool City Region advances efforts to bring its bus network back under public control. Following a major public consultation in which around 70% of participants supported the plans, Mayor Rotheram made the landmark decision in 2023 to franchise bus services in the region.

Franchised Services to Begin in 2026

Franchised services are set to commence in St Helens in 2026, with the new system rolling out across the region by the end of 2027. This approach will allow for greater local control over fares, timetables and routes, ensuring that services are tailored to the needs of passengers rather than shareholders.

Commitment to Greener, Reliable and Affordable Buses

Mayor Steve Rotheram emphasised the importance of putting the public back at the heart of public transport.

“Hundreds of thousands of people in our area rely on buses every day – more than 80% of all public transport journeys in the region are taken by bus. We need to make our buses a greener, dependable and more affordable option. This investment is laying the groundwork for those improvements as franchised services begin to hit the roads in 2026.”

Major Investments in St Helens and Key Routes

More than £32 million from the proposed investment package will fund the construction of a new bus and multimodal transport interchange in St Helens. This project, part of a broader town centre regeneration programme, is being jointly delivered with St Helens Borough Council. Additional funding will target some of the region’s busiest bus routes, including the 10A from Liverpool to St Helens, the 53 from Liverpool to Crosby and the 86 from Liverpool to John Lennon Airport, with the aim of improving punctuality, reliability and journey times.

If approved, the £108.1 million investment will be drawn from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), a £710 million fund dedicated to supporting transformational transport projects across the Liverpool City Region. This substantial financial commitment is set to revolutionise the local bus network, offering residents a more efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly public transport system.

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Mellor Unveils Next-Gen Strata Minibus

By on
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Say hello to the all-new Strata – Mellor’s latest showstopper in the small bus world. It’s smarter, more accessible and packed with fresh features to make every journey smoother, greener and comfier. And yes, it’s still built right here in the UK. Mellor Bus Since its debut in 2016, the original Strata has earned its stripes as a reliable workhorse – now it’s back with a vengeance, ready to shake up the sector all over again. If you thought small buses were all the same, think again. Accessibility, meet ambition First up: big wins for accessibility. The reworked rear saloon now has just one step up from the low-floor section (down from two), reducing trip hazards and making things safer for everyone onboard. Passengers also get an extra 100mm of headroom – that’s a whole lot less crouching and a lot more comfort. Mellor Bus The low-floor area’s been stretched by 266mm, making space for four extra seats. In fact, there’s now room for up to twelve seats in the low-floor area alone – p...
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