(IN BRIEF) Stagecoach has been awarded a contract by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to operate one of the region’s new franchised bus networks, serving the St Helens area from September 2026. The network will connect local communities with destinations including Liverpool City Centre, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Prescot, and Wigan, improving reliability and connectivity for thousands of daily passengers. Covering 26 routes operated by 113 buses from the Jackson Street depot, the contract reflects a shift toward a more integrated, accountable, and passenger-focused bus system under the Liverpool City Region’s franchising model.

(PRESS RELEASE) PERTH, 26-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, has been selected to operate one of two newly franchised bus networks in the Liverpool City Region, marking a major step in the region’s transition to a fully franchised public transport system. The new network will serve communities across the St Helens area and is scheduled to begin operations on 6 September 2026.

Awarded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the contract will see Stagecoach deliver a comprehensive set of bus services connecting St Helens with surrounding suburbs as well as key destinations including Liverpool City Centre, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Prescot, and Wigan. The new franchised routes are designed to significantly improve connectivity, reliability, and overall service quality for thousands of passengers who rely on buses every day.

The contract follows a competitive procurement process that prioritised operational performance, passenger experience, and social value. Under the franchising model, services will be planned and coordinated to offer a more integrated and dependable travel experience, supported by investment in modern buses, real-time passenger information systems, and improved facilities.

Stagecoach will operate a total of 26 routes under the new agreement, using a fleet of 113 buses based at its Jackson Street depot. The company will work closely with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to ensure services meet local needs while supporting the region’s wider objectives around sustainable and accessible transport.

The award reinforces Stagecoach’s long-standing presence in the Liverpool City Region and its commitment to working in partnership with local authorities to deliver high-quality public transport. As the region moves into a new era of bus franchising, the operator will focus on providing reliable services, supporting local communities, and contributing to a more accountable and passenger-focused transport system.

Media Contact:
Tom Sommerfelt
tom.sommerfelt@stagecoach.com

SOURCE: Stagecoach

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First published in this link of EuropaWIRE.