Passengers are returning to public transport across Liverpool City Region in “large numbers” post- Covid.
Leaders across the combined authority expect demand on the transport network to grow as commuters return to buses, trains and even the Mersey Ferries as the final coronavirus restrictions have been lifted. It is thought that Merseyrail passenger numbers are now at around 90% of pre-pandemic levels in March 2020.
The operator has also reported 100,000 journeys by racegoers on the network to and from Aintree over the Grand National weekend earlier this month. Liverpool Lime Street has been named as the best performing station in the country by Network Rail, with passenger numbers the highest of any terminus train station in England. Footfall at the station in March of this year was almost one fifth (17%) higher than in the same month in 2019.
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Passengers travel plans have changed since Covid, with peak time services now less busy than before the pandemic hit. According to Merseyrail, later morning and off-peak services are now carrying greater numbers of users.
The city region’s bus network is posting comparable recovery figures, with journey numbers nearing 90% of pre-Covid levels on some days. The bounce back in passenger numbers comes as the city region moves to invest in its transport network, with more than £700m secured from the UK government for improving services and upgrading facilities.
Cllr Liam Robinson, transport portfolio holder for Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said: “Our public transport network is the backbone of the Liverpool City Region – from our trains and buses to our iconic Mersey Ferries.
“As the pandemic hit our region in Spring 2020, people did what was asked of them by only making essential journeys to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. And once lockdown was lifted, ongoing social distancing requirements greatly reduced capacity on the network. But now passengers are returning in large numbers, helping to fuel a recovery in our vital leisure, hospitality and retail sectors.”
Cllr Robinson that the network’s recovery has been enabled by the level of maintained services and it was “vital” that bus or rail services are “reduced or, worse, cut altogether.” He added: “Travel patterns may have changed, with fewer people travelling at peak times and more during late mornings as well as evenings and weekends, but the demand on the network is a strong as it has been and looks set to grow further.
“The green and inclusive economy Mayor (Steve) Rotheram wants to help build in the Liverpool City Region relies on residents having access to good public transport services – and that’s what we’re determined to deliver.”
