Merseyside bus passengers look set to benefit from a price war between bus companies.
In the same week that Arriva started slashing single fares on dozens of routes, Stagecoach has announced that it is lowering fares across Wirral and St Helens.
It following a decision to by the company to roll out its existing Liverpool flat fare structure across Merseyside.
It means passengers travelling in Wirral and St Helens will now save up to 90p on single journeys, with Liverpool flat rates of £2 extended across the region. The flat fare is £1 for under 19s.
Fares for those traveling across the water will remain at £3 - 30p cheaper than the same journey with Arriva – and £1.50 for under 19s.
The flat fare is 20p less than Arriva, which this week expanded its £2.20 adult flat fare price from Liverpool to the whole of Merseyside. The same fare is £1.10 for children.
Elisabeth Tasker, Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire managing director, said: “We recognise the importance of providing a reliable and affordable bus service option for customers and we’re delighted to be increasing savings even further for passengers in Wirral and St Helens.
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“This is great news for bus users and we’re keen to push these savings out to all of our passengers across the region.”
The firm said £1.50 adult and 80p under 19’s single fares would still be available for customers who previously paid less than £2 for their local journeys in Wirral.
Arriva said earlier this week that its reduced prices would “bring greater consistency and fairness for passengers wherever they live on Merseyside”.
But the news came with a sting in the tail for Wirral passengers, who will not benefit from the expanded flat fare on cross-river services to and from Liverpool.
The price of a single journey is staying at £3.30 – a third more than for other journeys.
The cost of an Arriva Merseyside weekly ticket has also risen from £16 to £17, and a Liverpool Plus day ticket - which includes Liverpool, Southport and now St Helens - has risen from £4.20 to £4.30.
Stagecoach said its weekly megariders would remain at £13.50 throughout Merseyside with under 19’s weekly megariders priced at £6.80.
Arriva and Stagecoach together operate 90% of commercial bus services in and around Liverpool.
