Plan ahead is the message for those looking to join in with the Eurovision Song Contest celebrations across Liverpool next month.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to travel to the city in May when it hosts the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine. With a huge events programme being put together from May 1, the region’s public transport and road network is likely to be busier than ever, especially during peak event start and end times.
As Liverpool and the wider city region gets ready to welcome the world for the massive international music events, travel operators and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) have been working to ensure public transport services are ready to help keep everyone moving, with some extra services being put in place to help people travel between festival venues and travel home after the events.
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Richard McGuckin, LCRCA executive director for place, said: “We can’t wait to welcome the world to our city region in just a few weeks’ time for the Eurovision festival. Our region knows how to put on a good show and we’re working with our partners to keep people moving throughout the event, including putting on some additional services and capacity across the network on key dates.
“Whether you’re planning to enjoy Eurovision or travelling around for other reasons we’re asking you to think ahead and plan your journeys to help people travel safely. We thank people in advance for their kindness, patience and respect for each other and our transport staff who will be working hard to get everybody where they need to go.”
The Eurovision Festival starts on Monday May, with the Eurovision Song Contest Turquoise Carpet event and the National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome, providing a major opening ceremony at St Georges Hall on Sunday May 7. The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest culminates in a series of live shows at the M&S Bank Arena between Monday May 8 and the Grand Final the following Saturday, May 13.
The combined authority and Merseytravel have come up with a series of tips for visitors to use throughout the song contest. Those living or staying around the city centre are urged to walk, cycle or use an e-scooter where possible to avoid busy bus and rail services.
Those using public transport are urged to plan ahead, check timetables and leave plenty of time for journeys in and out of the city centre. Travelling light and being patient is also advised.
The event at St George’s Hall on May 7 means bus services will end at London Road, not Queen Square bus station. A park and ride will be set up at Stanley Park with buses operating to Queen Square Bus Station between midday and midnight.
A free shuttle bus will be running between the Eurovision Fan Zones at the Pier head and Camp and Furnace between May 5-13 between approx 9pm and midnight.
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