First Look At Brand New Buses For Liverpool City Region Franchising Stored In THIS Widnes Compound

Combined authorities across the UK are actively taking over local bus networks through a system called bus franchising. This shift allows regional mayors and transport bodies to set routes, timetables, and fares, bringing services back under public control for the first time in 40 years Liverpool City Region: The transition to a fully franchised system is well underway. The first franchised services will begin in Autumn 2026 (led by operators Stagecoach and Go-Ahead), with the full network rolling out across the region by the end of 2027 West Midlands: Having signed the order to take back control, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is set to own its bus fleet, take over electric vehicle contracts, and bring all buses under public control. West Yorkshire: Public control is scheduled to start in Spring 2027 under the "Weaver Network," with full authority over fares, routes, and timetables. The entire region will be under public control by late 2028. Hull and East Yorkshire: The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) is also targeting bus control, with a transition process actively underway to fix networks and cap fares Greater Manchester: Serving as the pioneer for this movement, the Bee Network is already operating under full public control, setting the blueprint for other authorities across the UK. many thanks to lee for spotting these on his bike ride im told these are for birkenhead garage #g2emedia #liverpool #buses