Need to know
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority members will be asked to back plans for a full analysis of public ownership
What you need to know
- Merseyrail services could be brought under public control in two years’ time – With the existing contract for the provision of services expiring in 2028, analysis has been carried out to determine how best to operate across the network.
- Public ownership of the provider ‘aligns’ with aims – A review of operating models determined public ownership and operation “has the highest potential to maximise integration between modes and thereby improve service provision for passengers.” A report to go before cabinet members said a publicly owned and operated rail network would align with the objectives of the combined authority.
- As of 2028, Merseytravel will be rebranded as Transport for Liverpool City Region (TFLCR) – This is part of wide ranging plans from the combined authority (CA) to connect rail, bus, ferry, tunnels and active travel options across the six local authority areas.
- This will also mark the end of the existing contract – Work began last year to establish whether a new five year deal for Serco and Transport UK, public ownership, or a new arrangement would be the most successful.
- All three options are deemed to be deliverable – A public ownership model would however be “most closely aligned to the level of control required to deliver a fully integrated public transport network.”
- More work is to be done – Should leaders agree, a full analysis will be undertaken and fed back to the Combined Authority later this year, setting out the viability for public control of the network.
- What the Metro Mayor said – Steve Rotheram, while not overtly backing a move to public ownership at this stage said his desire has been for a fully integrated transport network. Later this year, the first tranche of public buses will begin operating in St Helens and Wirral.
