A LIBERAL Democrat campaigner from Wirral has expressed her outrage after three Heswall bus services have been reduced.

From Monday, September 5, the services were reduced to one bus every two hours as opposed to one bus every hour.

The changes come after a series of changes to bus services in the Liverpool City Region.

Private operators finalised a number of changes to routes across Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral which began on September 4, 2022.

Several services considered to be ‘vital routes’ have been protected from the proposals after Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority stepped in to provide funding support to save them.

Currently, the majority of bus services in the Liverpool City Region are operated on a commercial basis by private operators – predominantly Arriva and Stagecoach. Under this deregulated bus system, these private companies have control over aspects such as routes, timetables and fares.

Earlier this year Liverpool City Region leaders took an important step toward reversing this power imbalance after local leaders voted to confirm franchising as their preferred model for the future running of the network

Proposals for the changes were published in late June, followed by a public consultation to give people the chance to provide their feedback.

Lucy Johnson, Liberal Democrat Campaigner for Wirral, told the Globe: “What makes it even worse is that there has been virtually no publicity of the changes.

“This means that elderly passengers will be left stranded.”

Wirral Globe: Liberal Democrat campaigner Lucy Johnson outside bus stations in HeswallLiberal Democrat campaigner Lucy Johnson outside bus stations in Heswall (Image: Image: Lucy Johnson)

“The three routes are operated by A2B, who apparently claim they are short of drivers. But last week they have taken over four routes serving other parts of Wirral.

“If A2B didn’t have the capacity to take on these new routes, it seems irresponsible to bid for the contracts.

“The result is that residents in Heswall and Pensby who rely on these local services are being left with 50% fewer buses.

“The drivers know most of the regular passengers, who depend on this friendly bus service.

“It is vital that this lifeline is restored to an hourly service as soon as possible.”

The Globe contacted A2B for a comment.