Liverpool expands its electric vehicle fleet: 50 new electric buses to be added
Liverpool City Region Announces Major Expansion of Publicly Run Bus Services
In a significant move towards creating a more sustainable and passenger-friendly public transport system, the Liverpool City Region has announced plans to bring its bus network back into public control. This decision, made by Mayor Steve Rotheram following a major public consultation, has been met with widespread support, with around 70% of the public backing the plans for franchised bus services.
At the unveiling of the new livery for the city region's buses, Mayor Rotheram stated, "This is a landmark moment in our mission to build a London-style, green transport system." The new livery, which mirrors the city region's 500 million pounds fleet of new trains, will be introduced across the network over the coming years.
As part of this expansion, 50 brand new electric double-deckers will be purchased, adding to the 58 fully electric buses announced in March. This brings the total number of fully electric buses secured to over 100. The funding for these new electric vehicles will be drawn from a pot of 710 million pounds set aside for major transport projects in the region, known as the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.
Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport, was present at the unveiling and expressed her support for the plans. She said, "This Government is committed to supporting local leaders in delivering on their transport priorities and breaking down barriers to delivering better buses."
Mayor Rotheram emphasized that decisions will be made locally with the public at the heart of public transport. The new system will allow greater local control of fares, timetables, and routes, with the goal of creating a bus network that puts passengers first and is cheaper, greener, and more reliable.
This expansion is part of the Mayor's wider ambition to reach net zero carbon in the Liverpool City Region by 2035. The plans aim to deliver an integrated London-style transport system for the city region, with franchised services set to begin in St Helens in 2026 and be introduced across the region by the end of 2027.
In a major commitment, a £26 million pound investment has been made towards this expansion. This investment will help to ensure that the Liverpool City Region continues to lead the way in sustainable public transport, providing a cleaner, more efficient, and more accessible service for all its residents.
