People said they will now be able to "get home safe" as night buses return between Liverpool and Wirral.
From next month people will be able to travel across the Mersey into the early hours of the morning as part of a new scheme being launched in the Liverpool City Region. The N1, which will be operated by Stagecoach, will enter service on Friday December 8 just after midnight with buses running every hour until around 5am every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The services are to return having been removed by private operators during the covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns.
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The new night bus service will run between Birkenhead and Allerton with stops across Liverpool city centre. The route also includes stops serving Toxteth, Wavertree and Mossley Hill. Tickets will cost £2, in line with the reduced adult single fare introduced by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram in September 2022.
Weekly and monthly passes, as well as Saveaway and day rider tickets, will not be accepted on the service.
Hundreds of people took to the comments section after the announcement. Many people were very happy with the decision, due to the cost of taxis and lack of availability.
Jean Bland said: "That’s great for everyone. People need to know they can get home safe without walking around looking for cabs. Great idea if you want to go to town, think it will work well."
June Ashley said: "Got the late bus many times, never once did we see any trouble. Always a good laugh everyone was always in high spirits."
Johnny Fulton said: "Great news no more extortionate black cabs or Ubers, if you’re lucky enough to get one."
Sharon said: "Ah, the night bus was like a party! You got to know everyone as it trundled through town, Kenny, Old Swan, Knotty ash, Dovecot, Page Moss, Prescot and beyond! The all singing number 10."
Some people were a little more reserved about the news of night buses returning to Merseyside.
Katie Roberts said: "Never had a problem back in the day getting the night bus home after a night in town. But times have changed unfortunately."
James Miller said: "They were nightmare last time, fights, foul language and abuse."
Mr Rotheram said: “We’re about to enter the busiest time of the year for our visitor economy and, while we want everyone to have a great time celebrating in our region, we also want them to get home safely. We’ve worked closely with local campaigners, students, late night workers and our hospitality industry to bring back late bus services between Liverpool and the Wirral to make it safer, cheaper and easier for people to travel home – without having to cut the party short.
“This a massive result for local people, many who have been campaigning for this moment for three years. Following our decision to take back control of the region’s buses and move towards a franchised system, this is another positive step on the journey to putting the public back at the heart of public transport.”
Matt Davies, managing director of Stagecoach Merseyside, added: "We are pleased to be working with the Mayor and are excited to relaunch this much-anticipated commercial Night Bus Service, creating new links and better coverage than what we have had previously and with a much lower fare, addressing the need for accessible and affordable transportation during late-night hours."
Full N1 timetables will be available soon at Merseytravel.gov.uk and stagecoachbus.com
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