Knowsley bus services are failing the public

Public transport in parts of Merseyside, where car ownership is low, has been criticized for failing residents for too long, according to local MP Anneliese Midgley. Representing Knowsley for Labour, Midgley has launched a "Big Bus Survey" to gather opinions from constituents on how they would prioritize spending from a 1.6 billion government fund for public transport improvements.

Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that only 30% of households in Knowsley own a car, making bus travel the primary mode of transport for most residents. Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, expressed hope that bus services would see noticeable improvements in the coming year.

Midgley emphasized that the current bus routes, serving around 10,000 passengers in the area, do not meet residents needs. Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, she said, "We have constituents contacting us daily about how the bus service fails them, and over a third of households in my constituency do not have access to a car."

The survey is a constituency-wide initiative that allows residents to share their experiences with the bus network and highlight both strengths and areas needing improvement. Midgley stated, "Much of my constituency is poorly connected. This funding should be used to make travel to work, school, shops, or medical appointments easier."

She added, "People should be able to move between Stockbridge, Huyton, Kirkby, and Prescot without long waits or paying for taxis. The survey results will guide my transport work for Knowsley, ensuring local priorities are communicated to the Combined Authority and Government."

The 1.6 billion funding extends beyond buses. Earlier this year, plans were revealed for a rapid transit link connecting Liverpool Airport with the city's football stadiums. Additional investments include three new railway stations at Carr Mill in St Helens, Woodchurch in Wirral, and Daresbury in Halton, as well as upgrades at Liverpool Baltic and Runcorn stations. Knowsley also opened a new station at Headbolt Lane in 2023.

Opposition leader on Knowsley Council, Green Party member Kai Taylor, criticized current services, saying, "Despite repeated promises from Labour's metro mayor, public transport in areas like Prescot continues to decline. Buses are unreliable, essential routes are cut, and services are underfunded." He noted that residents, especially in rural areas, often face delays to health appointments and work.

Rotheram highlighted that once bus services return to public control next year, there will be improved oversight of fares, routes, and timetables, prioritizing passengers over profit. The Big Bus Survey is available both online and in print, with community centers, shops, medical offices, and libraries providing forms for residents to complete.

Analysis of the Current Public Transport Situation in Knowsley

The public transport system in Knowsley, particularly its bus services, has long been a source of frustration for many residents. With only 30% of households owning cars, buses remain the primary means of transportation for most. However, as highlighted by local MP Anneliese Midgley, the existing routes are inadequate, failing to meet the needs of the area's population. This concern is further echoed by residents, who regularly voice complaints about the unreliability and inefficiency of current services.

The recent "Big Bus Survey" launched by Midgley seeks to address these issues by collecting feedback from constituents. The survey offers a platform for local residents to voice their concerns and identify areas that require urgent improvement. This initiative is an essential step toward ensuring that public transport services align more closely with the everyday needs of the community, facilitating easier access to work, education, healthcare, and other vital services.

In response to these challenges, Mayor Steve Rotheram has expressed optimism that significant improvements will be made, particularly once bus services are brought back under public control next year. The hope is that this will allow for better regulation of routes, fares, and timetables, ensuring a more passenger-focused approach rather than one driven by profit. However, the criticism from opposition members like Kai Taylor, who argue that promises have not yet been fulfilled, suggests that considerable work remains to regain public trust in the system.

The £1.6 billion funding allocated to the Liverpool City Region represents a crucial opportunity to transform the local transport infrastructure. While this investment extends beyond buses, including upgrades to railway stations and a new rapid transit link to Liverpool Airport, the focus must remain on improving the day-to-day travel experience for residents in Knowsley. The survey results will be pivotal in shaping the future direction of these improvements, ensuring that the voices of those most affected are heard.

Sources:

• Bus services in Knowsley 'letting people down'