Liverpool City Region-Bus Franchising

[Polarbear]

Looking through the published information for the forthcoming Wirral changes, I can't see any mention of dates where use of operator specific tickets will end? It's there for St Helens, but seemingly not for Wirral area services?

It's a little different for the Wirral as for some, Stagecoach products may still be more useful along the 1/X1 route.

 

[Fokx]

Looking through the published information for the forthcoming Wirral changes, I can't see any mention of dates where use of operator specific tickets will end? It's there for St Helens, but seemingly not for Wirral area services?

It's a little different for the Wirral as for some, Stagecoach products may still be more useful along the 1/X1 route.

There's no change to boundaries.
For the 1/X1 it will remain Hooton Crossroads for Merseytravel/Metro products

 

[Djgr]

Looking through the published information for the forthcoming Wirral changes, I can't see any mention of dates where use of operator specific tickets will end? It's there for St Helens, but seemingly not for Wirral area services?

It's a little different for the Wirral as for some, Stagecoach products may still be more useful along the 1/X1 route.

I would imagine that it would follow similar timescales and they would be included in publicity nearer the time.

 

[Polarbear]

There's no change to boundaries.
For the 1/X1 it will remain Hooton Crossroads for Merseytravel/Metro products

True - I'd not expect that to change. I do wonder whether validity for Merseytravel tickets/concessions would extend on the 487 to Neston though?

 

[Statto]

True - I'd not expect that to change. I do wonder whether validity for Merseytravel tickets/concessions would extend on the 487 to Neston though?

It'd be the same rules with the cross boundary routes operated by St Helens depot

 

[Djgr]

It'd be the same rules with the cross boundary routes operated by St Helens depot

Is my understanding correct?

Travelling to and from Neston on a Metro bus will have a single fare of £2.

However, LCR passes will not be valid past the LCR boundary (in this case near the Red Fox, Thornton Hough).

 

[M28361M]

However, LCR passes will not be valid past the LCR boundary (in this case near the Red Fox, Thornton Hough).

If it's on a Metro franchised route, the passes will be valid the whole route.

On a non-franchised "permit" route (which for Wirral is the 1/X1 and 22 and maybe a few others I've forgotten) validity ends at the boundary.

 

[Polarbear]

If it's on a Metro franchised route, the passes will be valid the whole route.

On a non-franchised "permit" route (which for Wirral is the 1/X1 and 22 and maybe a few others I've forgotten) validity ends at the boundary.

There aren’t any other cross boundary routes. Just Stagecoach’s 1 & X1, and the franchised 487.

 

[Fokx]

True - I'd not expect that to change. I do wonder whether validity for Merseytravel tickets/concessions would extend on the 487 to Neston though?

Yes Solo and Trio tickets will be valid for the 487, even outside of merseyside

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Oct 2026 ==

There aren’t any other cross boundary routes. Just Stagecoach’s 1 & X1, and the franchised 487.

And 811

 

[Statto]

There aren’t any other cross boundary routes. Just Stagecoach’s 1 & X1, and the franchised 487.

22/22A/X22 West Kirby-Chester operated by Als, that's a Cheshire West & Chester contract, & 811 Moreton-Broughton

 

[Edvid]

Looking through the published information for the forthcoming Wirral changes, I can't see any mention of dates where use of operator specific tickets will end?

Don't know about other operators but here's the lowdown on Arriva tickets:

Arriva services in Wirral will become part of the Liverpool City Region’s Franchised Bus Network

From 25th October 2026

www.arrivabus.co.uk

Arriva tickets will continue to be accepted on the Liverpool City Region’s franchised bus network for a limited period:

• Weekly tickets will be accepted until 1 November 2026.
• 4-weekly, term and annual tickets will be accepted until 24 November 2026.

After these dates, Arriva products will not be valid for use on any of the Liverpool City Region’s franchised bus services.

If you travel on a service that will become part of the franchised bus network and have Arriva tickets that are valid past these dates you can apply for a refund based on the number of days left on your ticket by completing the contact us form here.

 

[Polarbear]

Thanks all for the ticketing information & for helping with the other cross boundary routes I’d forgotten.

 

[TheSel]

Nice to see this particularly meaningless section on page 2 of the 22/22A timetable.



[image shows a heading 'What's changed' with the text 'Unchanged' below]


I also note that the new Wirral Map does not show hourly service 453.

 

[Polarbear]

Just a thought - will Merseytravel continue to provide bus services on Christmas Day once the franchising is fully rolled out? I understand that those services that operate are provided by Gillmoss depot with volunteer drivers, so I don't expect anything to change this year.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Just a thought - will Merseytravel continue to provide bus services on Christmas Day once the franchising is fully rolled out? I understand that those services that operate are provided by Gillmoss depot with volunteer drivers, so I don't expect anything to change this year.

How much are these services actually used? I've never explored them so while there would no doubt be manufactured outrage if they were withdrawn, I don't know how much real harm would be caused.

(I can imagine some of the outrage coming from drivers discovering they had no option but to spend Christmas Day with their nearest and dearest.)

 

[Djgr]

How much are these services actually used? I've never explored them so while there would no doubt be manufactured outrage if they were withdrawn, I don't know how much real harm would be caused.

(I can imagine some of the outrage coming from drivers discovering they had no option but to spend Christmas Day with their nearest and dearest.)

I wouldn't have thought franchising will make any difference. I would imagine they are used.

 

[Statto]

How much are these services actually used? I've never explored them so while there would no doubt be manufactured outrage if they were withdrawn, I don't know how much real harm would be caused.

(I can imagine some of the outrage coming from drivers discovering they had no option but to spend Christmas Day with their nearest and dearest.)

The Christmas Day services all call at the Hospitals so useful for visitors, on Wirral only the 410 & H2 (former 118) operated.

What Boxing Day/New Years Day services are going to be like, Arriva/Stagecoach operated most services from 7am until 6pm to 8pm, with Metro now operating them will they continue to run with last services at the Boxing Day/New Years Day times or will they operate rest of the evening until the normal evening finishing times & will extra services operate, on the Wirral the 38A/41/42 & Moreton Circulars never operated last year, will they operate this year?

 

[Polarbear]

Agree with @Djgr I expect the Christmas Day services will continue to operate - at least in the short term.

 

[adam rogan]

Vision Bus don't accept Solo passes on the 347 between Southport Morrisons and Crossens. I guess this is revenue protection to prevent people using their passes on the entire journey. However is this allowed for operators who run a service under a permit based on the franchising rules as the 2 and the x2 accept solos without a problem?

I just paid £2 each way on the 37 bus from Ormskirk to St Helens despite my journey originating outside the LCR, was fully expecting to pay £3 each way

Merseytravels fares and passes apply for all franchised routes even outside the boundary. It's a shame that the 375/385 won't be included as it would have been a lifeline for Skelmersdale/Ormskirk residents and also those who live in Orrell/Pemberton which is served by the 375/385 and 352 which originate outside of Greater Manchester.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Vision Bus don't accept Solo passes on the 347 between Southport Morrisons and Crossens. I guess this is revenue protection to prevent people using their passes on the entire journey. However is this allowed for operators who run a service under a permit based on the franchising rules as the 2 and the x2 accept solos without a problem?

I don't think the permit regime is yet in force for Southport. But on my (limited, layperson's) understanding, the conditions of the permits are effectively a matter of negotiation between the authority and the operator. So assuming that the 347 will be run under a permit, presumably a compromise will be needed between Merseytravel wanting Solo etc. tickets to be accepted and Vision wanting to minimise their revenue risk. Ultimately, if they can't agree, the bus will stop operating in Merseyside.

 

[4cryingoutloud]

I don't think the permit regime is yet in force for Southport. But on my (limited, layperson's) understanding, the conditions of the permits are effectively a matter of negotiation between the authority and the operator. So assuming that the 347 will be run under a permit, presumably a compromise will be needed between Merseytravel wanting Solo etc. tickets to be accepted and Vision wanting to minimise their revenue risk. Ultimately, if they can't agree, the bus will stop operating in Merseyside.

Don't forget, the 347 is tendered so the ultimate decision will be with Lancashire (who I assume take revenue risk on this contract.)

 

[TheSel]

Vision Bus don't accept Solo passes on the 347 between Southport Morrisons and Crossens. I guess this is revenue protection to prevent people using their passes on the entire journey.

Are you sure about that?

This, from the Merseytravel website page regarding the Solo ticket

Merseytravel Solo Ticket Prices

Find out more about Merseytravel Solo tickets; bus only tickets for the Liverpool City Region.

www.merseytravel.gov.uk

"Solo tickets can used at any time of day, on any bus service in Merseyside, no matter who operates it."

...

"Where can I use it?
Solo tickets are valid across Merseyside. If your journey crosses the Merseyside boundary into Cheshire, Halton, Greater Manchester or Lancashire you must pay the extra fare from the boundary."

 

[Polarbear]

Southport isn’t franchised until next year. My guess is that @adam rogan has encountered a driver who is unaware of the validity of the Merseytravel “Solo”.

It certainly should be valid to the boundary.

 

[adam rogan]

Southport isn’t franchised until next year. My guess is that @adam rogan[/USER] has encountered a driver who is unaware of the validity of the Merseytravel “Solo”.

It certainly should be valid to the boundary.

My solo is on a smartcard and my smartcard kept declining on their ticket machine. I was going on a short journey and driver said that we don't accept merseytravel passes. Give it a go one day if you are around there. For paper tickets, there is always room for confusion as the driver has to physically inspect it.

 

[M28361M]

My solo is on a smartcard and my smartcard kept declining on their ticket machine. I was going on a short journey and driver said that we don't accept merseytravel passes.

The timetable PDF for the 347 on Merseytravel's website says (on the route map on the final page): "Merseytravel Trio, Solo and Saveaway tickets are valid within Merseyside only." (my emphasis)

https://merseytravel.adidocdn.dev/timetables/Bus/347-20Jul25.pdf

If you are trying to use a Solo and routinely getting rejected I think that is something to be raised with Merseytravel.

 

[Polarbear]

My solo is on a smartcard and my smartcard kept declining on their ticket machine. I was going on a short journey and driver said that we don't accept merseytravel passes. Give it a go one day if you are around there. For paper tickets, there is always room for confusion as the driver has to physically inspect it.

I have a Merseytravel concessionary pass, but I’ll certainly have a go if I happen to be up that way.

Off topic, but I’ve experienced similar with other operators/tickets around the UK in the past. Usually down to the ticket machines not being configured to accept perfectly valid tickets/passes, coupled with a “driver says no” attitude.

Most drivers would just wave you on in such circumstances-a minority won’t.

 

[Djgr]

I don't think the permit regime is yet in force for Southport. But on my (limited, layperson's) understanding, the conditions of the permits are effectively a matter of negotiation between the authority and the operator. So assuming that the 347 will be run under a permit, presumably a compromise will be needed between Merseytravel wanting Solo etc. tickets to be accepted and Vision wanting to minimise their revenue risk. Ultimately, if they can't agree, the bus will stop operating in Merseyside.

I think that this will be the case. If you want to operate in a particular area you have to abide by their rules.

 

[Statto]

Isn't the 347 a Lancashire County Council tendered route, it was operated by Stagecoach until a couple of years ago, but Merseytravel tickets should be valid between Southport & Crossens, i would raise a complaint about this.

 

[Northerngirl]

All of the small opperators seem to struggle with the readers not accepting metro cards, but it certainly should be valid

 

[Djgr]

I came across this interesting document for Wirral cross boundary fare arrangements post 25th October.

https://merseytravel.adidocdn.dev/Content/Bus/Wirral%20Cross%20Boundary/Wirral-Cross-Boundary-Service-List-07-10-26.pdf

Interesting that Merseytravel tickets are available all the way to Broughton but not on two school services, even within the LCR area (I wonder whether any school services carry "normal" people?)

As has been stated already, Merseytravel tickets are also shown as valid extended from the LCR boundary to Neston/Ness Gardens (owned by Liverpool University as it happens) but there are no boundary extensions on the two Chester services.