Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire is taking over a number of routes in Kirkby on an independent commercial basis, to enable passengers to continue to benefit from regular bus services, following a review of the network of publicly subsidised services in the area.

The company, which is the main bus operator in the area, worked in partnership with Merseytravel over a six month period to review the Kirkby bus network and has agreed to run previously subsidised services on a commercial basis.

Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire has also altered some of its existing routes including renumbering some evening services which while travelling on the same route where previously numbered differently to their daytime services.

The changes come following the completion of the first LCR Bus Alliance network review which aims to create a simpler, clearer, and where possible, more direct network throughout the region to encourage more people to travel by bus.

Elisabeth Tasker, Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire managing director, said: “As a key public transport provider for people living in the area, we have worked closely with Merseytravel to review and simplify the bus network for current and future bus users. 

"We felt it was important to do what we could to free up public funds by providing these services on an independent, commercial basis.

“Following public consultation, we have updated and changed some of our existing services to minimise the effect the removal of public funding would have had on the community. Our new schedule will enable people living in Kirkby to continue to easily travel to work, get to school, access Liverpool City Centre,local hospitals and other key amenities.

“Although some services will have to be withdrawn, we have provided replacement options for all routes, and hope that people will not be too disrupted.”