At the direction of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Merseytravel has commenced assessments of both enhanced partnership and franchising as vehicles for the reform of bus services in the region, as provided for under the Bus Services Act.
Notices have been published by Merseytravel to formally begin the assessment processes, although the move was approved in April.
A third option, to retain the successful Bus Alliance that currently involves Merseytravel, Arriva and Stagecoach, remains on the table. The Alliance was launched in September 2016.
If adopted, the enhanced partnership or franchising scheme will cover the whole of the Liverpool City Region, which includes Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helen and Wirral.
