Wrightbus buses are now operating on the Liverpool City Region’s franchised bus network, following the introduction of the first services under public control.
The new low-emission buses form part of a 150 million GBP investment in 560 new vehicles for the region. More than 100 publicly owned electric buses are also already in service.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has begun the transition to franchised bus services, with St Helens and Wirral among the first areas to move to the new operating model. Under franchising, the Combined Authority has greater control over routes, fares and service standards.
Many of the new buses have been manufactured by Wrightbus at its facility in Northern Ireland. They are finished in the Liverpool City Region’s yellow, black and grey Metro livery.
The buses meet Euro 6 emissions standards. According to the Combined Authority, they are expected to deliver around a 20% reduction in carbon emissions and more than an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions compared with many of the older buses operating across the region.
Passenger features include air conditioning, USB charging points, updated seating and audio-visual passenger information systems. The vehicles also provide additional space for wheelchairs and prams.
The buses have been designed to allow future conversion to battery-electric operation. This will enable the fleet to transition towards zero-emission operation as charging infrastructure and electricity grid capacity are expanded. The Liverpool City Region has set a target for its entire bus fleet to be zero-emission by 2035.
Wrightbus Managing Director Christian Reynolds said:We're proud to play our part in the transformation of bus services across the Liverpool City Region, delivering ultra low-emission vehicles designed and built here in the UK.
This investment demonstrates the value of backing British manufacturing. By choosing UK-built buses, the Liverpool City Region is not only investing in better public transport but also supporting over 2,000 highly skilled manufacturing jobs at Wrightbus, and thousands more across the UK supply chain. We look forward to seeing these buses become a familiar sight on the region's roads as the network enters an exciting new chapter, offering passengers a cleaner, more comfortable and more accessible way to travel.
The introduction of the Wrightbus vehicles comes alongside investment in battery-electric trains, electric buses and the Mersey Ferry as the Combined Authority develops its integrated transport network.
Wrightbus is marking its 80th anniversary in 2026. The manufacturer says it has supplied more than 3,000 zero-emission buses to customers in the UK and internationally.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:The arrival of these state-of-the-art, low-emission vehicles marks a massive milestone on our countdown to taking back control of our bus network. We are completely renewing our fleet with ultra-modern, accessible buses that give our residents the premium, reliable experience they deserve.
This is about building a fully integrated transport network that is fit for the future. We are creating a system that connects our communities seamlessly – making public transport the first choice for the 1.6 million people who call the Liverpool City Region home.
Starting now, when St Helens and Wirral lead the transition into public control, we will finally have the power to design a network that puts passengers first. Combined with our new battery-powered trains, electric buses, and our brand-new Mersey Ferry, we are modernising every corner of our transport network to drive our region forward.
