Changes to Mersey Tunnel tolls including an increase for some motorists have been confirmed.
As part of their budget setting process for the financial year ahead, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority members have signed off on proposals to amend some of the existing tariffs paid by motorists when they use the two road tunnels between Liverpool and Wirral. Following a meeting of the combined authority last month, changes to transport fees and changes have now been adopted.
While the cash toll for a single journey will be frozen at £2, the price of a discounted single journey for someone living in the city region with a T Flow account is to rise by 20p to £1.40. The proposals include the T-Flow toll for non city region residents which will rise by 20p from £1.80 to £2.
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Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said rates were "well below" the authorised rate and the combined authority had sought to avoid toll increases across the board. A Liverpool City Region (LCR) resident defined as living within the electoral boundaries of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral.
In addition, the price of a Mersey Tunnel tour is rising by £2 to £10. On the region’s buses from April 1, the supported bus fare for adults will increase to £2.20, but the actual fare paid will remain at £2 with the difference met through bus service improvement plan subsidy.
The Young Person fare of £1 per journey will remain unchanged. As a result of the incoming changes in Fast Tag and T Flow charges, the combined authority expects to increase Mersey Tunnels income by around £3m a year, with an additional £7,000 considering the removal of breakdown charges and increase in Tunnel Tours and Escort fees.
Mersey Ferries commuter passengers’ fares will remain frozen – £2.90 for a single and £3.80 for a return journey – which it is hoped will encourage more people to use them. On the wider budget, Mr Rotheram said there had been a series of “global and national factors” that have added to the challenges in setting the budget.
He said leaders remain “absolutely resolute” in their commitment to supporting people during the cost of living crisis.
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