Liverpool reports public transport ridership nearly back to pre-Covid levels

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has reported its transport network is recovering very strongly following Covid – but says service levels need to be maintained to sustain the bounce back.

City leaders say that since restrictions have been lifted, passenger numbers across the bus and rail network are now nearing those seen before the first national lockdown in March 2020.

Patronage on the Merseyrail network is around 90% of pre-pandemic levels, with a 15-minute service set to return in early May.

Regional rail hub 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.

There is also good news from the city region bus network, where the number of journeys has neared 90% of pre-Covid levels on some days – a much quicker and stronger recovery than elsewhere in the country.

Travel patterns have changed however, with large amounts of home working meaning that peak time services are less busy than pre-pandemic. Later morning and off-peak services though are carrying greater numbers of passengers, suggesting that for those people that can are taking advantage of flexible office hours to skip the morning rush.

Evening and weekend services are as busy, and sometimes busier, than before the pandemic – a trend reflected in the strong recovery reported by the Liverpool City Region’s retail and hospitality sectors, where spending is outperforming the national average.

The news of a bounce back in passenger numbers comes as the city region gears up for a year of massive investment in the local transport network, with more than £710m secured from central government for improving services and upgrading facilities.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Transport Portfolio Holder for Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said:

“The green and inclusive economy Mayor 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.

“Our public transport network is the backbone of the city region – from our trains and buses to our iconic Mersey Ferries.

“Passengers are returning in large numbers, helping to fuel a recovery in our vital leisure, hospitality and retail sectors.

“It’s vital that we don’t see bus or rail services reduced or, worse, cut altogether. Travel patterns may have changed, but the demand on the network is a strong as it has been and looks set to grow further.

“That’s why we’re investing hundreds of millions of pounds in improving, upgrading and integrating the city region transport network – including the roll-out of new trains and hydrogen buses, the development of hundreds of kilometres of safe walking and cycling routes and the building of new rail stations, re-regulating our buses and introducing green bus routes.”