Friday, 23 January 2026

̶L̶o̶n̶d̶o̶n̶ Liverpool City Region Bus Tender Awards: Stagecoach And Go-Ahead Win Franchised Bus Contracts


It has been announced that Transport for London, ahem, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority website that Stagecoach has won the contract to operate the franchised bus network in St Helens, and Go-Ahead has won the contract to operate the franchised bus network in the Wirral.


From Liverpool City Region Combined Authority/Merseytravel press release:

In one of the biggest shifts in local transport policy in a generation, the Liverpool City Region has appointed two new operators to run its first publicly controlled bus services since the 1980s.
This marks the beginning of a major transformation that will see the region’s buses brought back under local control – delivering a more reliable network, that is better connected and built around the needs of passengers.
In 2023, Mayor Steve Rotheram took the landmark decision to bring bus services in the region back into public control. This will mean the Combined Authority, rather than private operators, will be able to set routes, fares and timetables – and become only the second area outside of London to take back control of its bus network.
Following a competitive tender process, two operators have been appointed to operate the first locally controlled services in the Liverpool City Region since the 1980s, marking the biggest change to public transport in the region for more than a generation.
  • Stagecoach has been selected to operate the franchised bus network based in St Helens.
  • Go-Ahead has been selected to operate the franchised bus network based in Wirral.

The first phase of bus franchising will begin in St Helens and Wirral in autumn 2026, before rolling out across the whole region by the end of 2027.
From day one of the new system, passengers in St Helens and Wirral will see immediate improvements designed to make the network more dependable and easy-to-use. This includes more frequent and later running buses on key routes alongside an increase in the number of weekend services.
In St Helens, a brand-new express service to Liverpool John Lennon Airport will be launched, while in Wirral routes are being extended to provide better direct links to hospitals and rail stations.
Greater local control of the bus network is a key part of Mayor Rotheram’s wider vision for a fully integrated transport system that is quicker, simpler, and more affordable.
Hundreds of millions of pounds are being invested in new buses, depots and infrastructure upgrades to support the transition to a franchised network. This includes the purchase of more than 100 new all-electric double-decker buses, as the city region builds on its commitment to becoming net zero carbon by 2035.
Funding to modernise the bus network comes on the back of the announcement of a historic £1.6bn transport funding settlement secured from government, which will help deliver new rail stations, walking and cycling routes and a new rapid transit system.
Accountability will be at the heart of all new operator contracts, with customer-focused targets for punctuality, reliability and bus cleanliness built in from day one.

Read more

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The #London #Infrastructure Plan 2050, published in 2014, outlines the New Tube for London (2024 Tube Stock), the next generation of deep tube trains. 🚇⦵ It proposes full automation (GoA4) and platform screen doors for the Central and Piccadilly lines to boost capacity. #transport #metro #subway

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 17, 2026 at 9:04 AM

First Bus has launched the first 24-hour bus service in Glasgow, Scotland, with the 77 now running day and night between the city centre, West End and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, supporting shift workers and the nighttime economy. news.firstbus.co.uk/news/first-b...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 19, 2026 at 1:52 PM

Solaris Bus & Coach has signed a framework agreement with Swiss public transport operator PostAuto to supply up to 115 battery-electric buses. The deal covers 12- and 18-metre models, with deliveries planned across Switzerland in 2026 and 2027. An initial order for 33 buses has been placed.

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 20, 2026 at 12:36 PM

Transport for Greater Manchester and Salford City Council plan safer, quicker bus, walking, and cycling routes on the route 50 corridor, with bus priority, protected cycle lanes, improved crossings, and upgraded stops, starting 2027 after public feedback. news.tfgm.com/press-releas...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 20, 2026 at 1:20 PM

London’s buses haven't always been strictly red. After 1984, competitive tendering allowed private operators to use their own colourful liveries. It wasn't until the mid-1990s that the government mandated a return to uniform red to protect the city’s iconic brand and image.

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 21, 2026 at 11:42 AM

The Transport for London data show a major shift in our bus fleet. By 2025, diesel double-deckers have plummeted from 5,716 to 1,315. We are seeing a rising number of zero-emission buses as new route contracts are awarded to bus operating companies across the entire capital. 🚌⦵

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 22, 2026 at 9:10 AM

Irizar e-mobility has secured its first Dutch contract, supplying 39 electric ie tram buses to Arriva Netherlands. The order covers 18 12-metre vehicles and 21 18-metre articulated units for BRT services in Oost-Brabant from December 2026. irizar-emobility.com/en/events-an...

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 22, 2026 at 9:48 AM

#Flight ✈️ vs #Rail 🚄 in Great #Britain: How do they compare for domestic travel? 📍 City centre vs city outskirts 🧴 No liquid limits vs security checks 🌍 35g vs 130g+ CO2 per km 🧳 Included luggage vs extra fees A comparison for #UK passengers. 👇 #UKTravel #Transport #Aviation

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— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 23, 2026 at 12:36 PM

I would like to extend an invite for you to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) for transport-related updates. You can find me by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I am also present on BlueSky and Mastodon. I look forward to connecting with you on these platforms. Thank you for your support.

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