Liverpool City Region-Bus Franchising

[Djgr]

According to the Liverpool Echo today, bus franchising is to be brought forward a year, commencing 2026.

 

[JasonL]

According to the Liverpool Echo today, bus franchising is to be brought forward a year, commencing 2026.

St. Helens and Wirral are already being franchised in September 2026. Unless another area that's due to be franchised in 2027 is being brought forward by a year?

 

[Simon75]

Be interesting if Arriva will bid , seeing they are the dominant operator, and had pulled out of Greater Manchester

 

[gka472l]

St. Helens and Wirral are already being franchised in September 2026. Unless another area that's due to be franchised in 2027 is being brought forward by a year?

I think the Echo is just well behind in announcing it being brought forward, this article mentions it back in July 2024 https://www.route-one.net/news/liverpool-city-region-bus-franchising-completion-brought-forward/
Also, this article from a couple of days ago

Publicly owned, passenger focused: Mayor unveils day one bus upgrades

<p>Passengers will benefit from more frequent services, extended routes, and better links to hospitals and railway stations.</p>

www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk

HTH

 

[neilcobbe]

Noticed on the attached proposed route list that for St. Helens the 329&360 could be non-metro routes that Arriva currently run. Any ideas why these aren't going to be being run from St. Helens? Would the 360 move to Bee Network & 329 By Warrington BT.

 

[Fokx]

Noticed on the attached proposed route list that for St. Helens the 329&360 could be non-metro routes that Arriva currently run. Any ideas why these aren't going to be being run from St. Helens? Would the 360 move to Bee Network & 329 By Warrington BT.

There are doubts surrounding the Halton area actually being part of the LCR franchise scheme due to issues with securing subsidiaries from Halton council

I’d imagine both routes would simply operate from Runcorn depot under the Arriva North West license, with scope to interwork with the 110/X30 rather than each other, rather than move to two separate operators all together

 

[JasonL]

Noticed on the attached proposed route list that for St. Helens the 329&360 could be non-metro routes that Arriva currently run. Any ideas why these aren't going to be being run from St. Helens? Would the 360 move to Bee Network & 329 By Warrington BT.

Now this is interesting. Either Bee Network (Wigan's Go North West garage) or Warrington's Own Buses could take over the route. If Bee Network take over the route I would imagine the route will stay as 360 but if Warrington's Own Buses take over I think they will renumber the route to 22A or something? Possibly 22B (My opinion).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Mar 2025 ==

Now this is interesting. Either Bee Network (Wigan's Go North West garage) or Warrington's Own Buses could take over the route. If Bee Network take over the route I would imagine the route will stay as 360 but if Warrington's Own Buses take over I think they will renumber the route to 22A or something? Possibly 22B (My opinion). And as for the 329 that will possibly get took over by another company or Warrington's Own Buses will take over the route and renumber that route.

 

[WibbleWobble]

Now this is interesting. Either Bee Network (Wigan's Go North West garage) or Warrington's Own Buses could take over the route. If Bee Network take over the route I would imagine the route will stay as 360 but if Warrington's Own Buses take over I think they will renumber the route to 22A or something? Possibly 22B (My opinion).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Mar 2025 ==

I would imagine 660 if under Bee Network to fit with local numbering and avoid the clash with the Stockport service.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Bee Network depots can’t bid for work outside of the Bee Network franchising scheme. If Liverpool go down the same route then the three routes couldn’t be operated from St Helens. Nor could they be operated from Wigan unless TfGM elect to incorporate the routes into Bee Network, and I see no reason why they would.

Arriva could retain the routes and simply operate them from a non-franchised depot. But this is probably only likely if Halton- and, more importantly, their depot in Halton- stays outside of the franchising scheme.

Otherwise they’ll fall outside both franchising areas and it’ll be left to someone else to pick them up. Given the location I’d say Warrington’s Own Buses or Rotala Preston Bus (who have some tenders around Skem) are the only two who could.

 

[WibbleWobble]

Nor could they be operated from Wigan unless TfGM elect to incorporate the routes into Bee Network, and I see no reason why they would.

360 would definitely be a fit for Bee Network as most of the route is in Greater Manchester!

 

[JasonL]

Bee Network depots can’t bid for work outside of the Bee Network franchising scheme. If Liverpool go down the same route then the three routes couldn’t be operated from St Helens. Nor could they be operated from Wigan unless TfGM elect to incorporate the routes into Bee Network, and I see no reason why they would.

Arriva could retain the routes and simply operate them from a non-franchised depot. But this is probably only likely if Halton- and, more importantly, their depot in Halton- stays outside of the franchising scheme.

Otherwise they’ll fall outside both franchising areas and it’ll be left to someone else to pick them up. Given the location I’d say Warrington’s Own Buses or Rotala Preston Bus (who have some tenders around Skem) are the only two who could.

It's a bit away for Rotala Preston to operate the 329/360 as both routes do not run through Lancashire at all. Warrington's Own Buses would be the most obvious choice to to operate both routes under different route numbers

 

[Tetchytyke]

360 would definitely be a fit for Bee Network as most of the route is in Greater Manchester!

True, but they weren’t bothered enough to bring it in to Bee Network before, so I don’t see why much would change. The bit in GM as far as Golborne is well covered by other Bee Network routes.

 

[darylyates17]

It's a bit away for Rotala Preston to operate the 329/360 as both routes do not run through Lancashire at all. Warrington's Own Buses would be the most obvious choice to to operate both routes under different route numbers

I think the 360 will end up being spilt like the X5 was and Bee Network may bring in a different service to cover the Golbourne-Newton-Le-Willows section I’m surprised the 329 isn’t included but the current 22 is even with Merseytravel funding.

 

[JasonL]

I think the 360 will end up being spilt like the X5 was and Bee Network may bring in a different service to cover the Golbourne-Newton-Le-Willows section I’m surprised the 329 isn’t included but the current 22 is even with Merseytravel funding.

I find it strange my self since Warrington's Own Buses operate the 22 but I think it's more to do with how majority of the route goes through Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown, Haydock and Garswood all which is in the Merseyside boundary.

 

[Donny85]

True, but they weren’t bothered enough to bring it in to Bee Network before, so I don’t see why much would change. The bit in GM as far as Golborne is well covered by other Bee Network routes.

The Platt Bridge - Abram - Golborne section is only served by the 360, with the 22A running in the evenings and on Sundays.

If Arriva were to give it up, my guess would be Warrington’s Own taking over.

The 360 and 22A must be profitable since, unless I’ve missed any changes, neither service is funded by Merseytravel. This i understand is evidenced by the absence of the ‘M’ symbol above journeys in the timetable.

 

[Fokx]

The 360 and 22A must be profitable since, unless I’ve missed any changes, neither service is funded by Merseytravel. This i understand is evidenced by the absence of the ‘M’ symbol above journeys in the timetable.

The 22A is part-funded by TfGM and Arriva we’re proposing to withdraw the 360 not to long ago following years of frequency reductions.

At one point the route was every 15 minutes between Wigan and Golborne and every 30 between Wigan and Warrington

 

[gka472l]

Second-Hand Diesel Buses [PIN]

LCRCA intends to begin introducing franchised bus services from 6 September 2026. LCRCA require at l... A Prior Information Notice by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

bidstats.uk

Text from above link...

LCRCA intends to begin introducing franchised bus services from 6 September 2026. LCRCA require at least 100 second-hand buses which must be available prior to the franchise services commencing. The required delivery date of vehicles to LCRCA would be the first half of and in any event, no later than June 2026, when following testing and acceptance of vehicles, ownership would be transferred to LCRCA. These buses must meet the following criteria: • Be diesel traction only. • Preferably compliant with the Euro 6 emissions standard. • Deemed roadworthiness from the most recent annual vehicle test (MOT) and compliant with all relevant UK regulations. • Be no more than 8 years old as at 6 September 2026. • Be double-decker, single-decker or midi sized. • Be in right hand drive configuration. • Have one passenger door. The supplier must also be able to provide all relevant maintenance documents and accident records relevant to the vehicle.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

Second-Hand Diesel Buses [PIN]

LCRCA intends to begin introducing franchised bus services from 6 September 2026. LCRCA require at l... A Prior Information Notice by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

bidstats.uk

Text from above link...

LCRCA intends to begin introducing franchised bus services from 6 September 2026. LCRCA require at least 100 second-hand buses which must be available prior to the franchise services commencing. The required delivery date of vehicles to LCRCA would be the first half of and in any event, no later than June 2026, when following testing and acceptance of vehicles, ownership would be transferred to LCRCA. These buses must meet the following criteria: • Be diesel traction only. • Preferably compliant with the Euro 6 emissions standard. • Deemed roadworthiness from the most recent annual vehicle test (MOT) and compliant with all relevant UK regulations. • Be no more than 8 years old as at 6 September 2026. • Be double-decker, single-decker or midi sized. • Be in right hand drive configuration. • Have one passenger door. The supplier must also be able to provide all relevant maintenance documents and accident records relevant to the vehicle.

This seems prudent - creating a float fleet that can fill in gaps of vehicle provision, especially if new deliveries run late.

Where they will get them from will be another question, but a fair bit of dealer stock might be cleaned out here!

 

[Steve440]

This seems prudent - creating a float fleet that can fill in gaps of vehicle provision, especially if new deliveries run late.

Where they will get them from will be another question, but a fair bit of dealer stock might be cleaned out here!

That's all very well but West Yorkshire MCA want 450 as well!

WYCA Bus Franchising - Procurement of Second Hand Vehicles - Find a Tender

www.find-tender.service.gov.uk

 

[Andyh82]

This seems prudent - creating a float fleet that can fill in gaps of vehicle provision, especially if new deliveries run late.

Where they will get them from will be another question, but a fair bit of dealer stock might be cleaned out here!

The ‘being now more than 8 years old’ line seems to limit them somewhat

If it wasn’t for that I would say that all the old Stagecoach vehicles that Metroline Manchester are temporarily using could have been a big chunk, but they are much older than 8 years old

 

[Fokx]

Hypothetically you may see existing operators of the pre-franchise services within the region selling off their assets to supply the vehicles. Particularly if the LCR is looking at limiting the amount of franchises a single operator can successfully operate.

Arriva Merseyside for example have a high number of buses that meet the above spec such as the Evora, Streetdeck and Enviro200mmc that meet the single decker and double decker specifications. These could theoretically be sold to the LCR and replaced with older vehicles brought into the region that don’t meet the franchise pool fleet specification, but would keep the non-franchise services operating until the next tranche.

 

[gka472l]

A couple of links to documents regarding the Liverpool City Region franchising....

https://liverpoolcityregion-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s77566/Metro%20Network%20Update%20-%20Bus.pdf

https://liverpoolcityregion-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s77568/Appendix%202%20-%20Metro%20Network%20Update%20-%20Bus.pdf

HTH

 

[JasonL]

A couple of links to documents regarding the Liverpool City Region franchising....

https://liverpoolcityregion-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s77566/Metro%20Network%20Update%20-%20Bus.pdf

https://liverpoolcityregion-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s77568/Appendix%202%20-%20Metro%20Network%20Update%20-%20Bus.pdf

HTH

Is it likely that Arriva would not be keeping the St. Helens garage?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2025 ==

Is it likely that Arriva would not be keeping the St. Helens garage?

Also I seen that Go North West's Wright Eclipse 2s 6176 has been painted into St. Helens Corporation livery with SH on the window, maybe that could be a hint that Go North West is seriously interested in taking over the St. Helens garage?

 

[Mollman]

Is it likely that Arriva would not be keeping the St. Helens garage?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2025 ==


Also I seen that Go North West's Wright Eclipse 2s 6176 has been painted into St. Helens Corporation livery with SH on the window, maybe that could be a hint that Go North West is seriously interested in taking over the St. Helens garage?

Remember it is a tender process so we don't know anything until the results are announced. Yes it is likely that Go Ahead and a number of others will be bidding for St Helens but I doubt painting a bus in a heritage livery scores any points in the bidding process.

 

[JasonL]

Remember it is a tender process so we don't know anything until the results are announced. Yes it is likely that Go Ahead and a number of others will be bidding for St Helens but I doubt painting a bus in a heritage livery scores any points in the bidding process.

When is the bidding process due?

 

[gka472l]

When is the bidding process due?

From one of the documents above, the contract awards for St Helens & Wirral (Tranche 1), appear to take place towards the end of Q4 (assuming anytime October onwards??) for a September 2026 start, the awards for Tranche 2, which is Sefton, north Knowsley & Liverpool & south Knowsley & Liverpool appear to have a award date of Q4 in 2026, for a September 2027 start.....screenshot of document attached, which also includes the smaller franchise awards

 

[JasonL]

From one of the documents above, the contract awards for St Helens & Wirral (Tranche 1), appear to take place towards the end of Q4 (assuming anytime October onwards??) for a September 2026 start, the awards for Tranche 2, which is Sefton, north Knowsley & Liverpool & south Knowsley & Liverpool appear to have a award date of Q4 in 2026, for a September 2027 start.....screenshot of document attached, which also includes the smaller franchise awards

Looks like late Q4 on there, probably late November to December.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jun 2025 ==

So a Wright StreetDeck Electroliner has been spotted in the yard of a Wrightbus factory in the Liverpool City Region Metro livery. Be interested to see where it ends up. Possibly Green Lane or Speke? Those are my guesses.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

Looks like late Q4 on there, probably late November to December.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jun 2025 ==

So a Wright StreetDeck Electroliner has been spotted in the yard of a Wrightbus factory in the Liverpool City Region Metro livery. Be interested to see where it ends up. Possibly Green Lane or Speke? Those are my guesses.

Now that is interesting. Weren't there two amounts of funding for electric buses for the region? One batch was announced as ADL Enviro 400EVs for Stagecoach - which are mostly built and await delivery, presumably awaiting completion of electrification works, but I'm sure there was a second batch but no order announced. I wonder if this is the first of these?

(Added: In fact, a recent press release from the Liverpool City Region says "Other major recent investments in the Liverpool City Region transport network include the purchase of 100 zero-emission double-decker electric buses..." (https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca....f-liverpool-city-regions-transport-revolution), which perhaps does indeed suggest there is more coming alongside the E400EVs...)

 

[JasonL]

Now that is interesting. Weren't there two amounts of funding for electric buses for the region? One batch was announced as ADL Enviro 400EVs for Stagecoach - which are mostly built and await delivery, presumably awaiting completion of electrification works, but I'm sure there was a second batch but no order announced. I wonder if this is the first of these?

(Added: In fact, a recent press release from the Liverpool City Region says "Other major recent investments in the Liverpool City Region transport network include the purchase of 100 zero-emission double-decker electric buses..." (https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca....f-liverpool-city-regions-transport-revolution), which perhaps does indeed suggest there is more coming alongside the E400EVs...)

42 StreetDeck Electroliner's possibly, or some Volvo BZL's like Warrington's Own Buses or Greater Manchester's Bee Network?

 

[aswilliamsuk]

42 StreetDeck Electroliner's possibly, or some Volvo BZL's like Warrington's Own Buses or Greater Manchester's Bee Network?

I'd be surprised if they were anything other than ADL or Wrightbus - as I recall LCR have made noises that they want to support British/UK bus building, like Manchester have (the BZLs were ordered by Stagecoach beforehand).