The first of over 100 new publicly owned electric buses have arrived in the Liverpool City Region ahead of their introduction into passenger service.
The buses, which have been wrapped in yellow, grey and black Metro livery, arrived into the city region yesterday morning (Wednesday 25 February) and consist of a mix of units from both Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis Limited.
Dozens of additional units are set to be delivered over the course of the next few months.
All vehicles have been built with a range of high-spec new features, such as additional space for wheelchair users and prams, audio visual announcements, USB phone charging and free Wi-Fi.
The buses, which were purchased by the Combined Authority, will enter service in the coming months, and form a key part component of Mayor Steve Rotheram’s goal of reaching net zero carbon in the city region by 2035.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:This year will be remembered as a turning point for public transport in the Liverpool City Region. After four decades of deregulation, we are taking back control of our buses and building a network that works in the interests of passengers, not shareholders.
The arrival of our new publicly-owned electric fleet is a tangible example of that change. These state-of-the-art, zero-emission buses – alongside our 500 million GBP fleet of trains fitted with pioneering battery technology – will give people a genuine alternative to the car, improve air quality and help us meet out ambitious target of becoming net zero by 2035.
We’re putting the public back into public transport with better services, simpler fares and the modern, affordable network out 1.6 million residents deserve.
First announced in 2023; Mayor Rotheram’s plan to bring bus services back under local control will start in St Helens later this autumn, before rolling out across the city region in its entirety by the end of 2027. The move will allow the Combined Authority to set fares, routes and timetables.
