The Liverpool City Region transport network is recovering following Covid – but service levels need to be maintained to sustain the bounce back, say city region leaders.

At the height of the pandemic people across the region, as in other areas of the country, were discouraged from using public transport except to make essential journeys.

Since restrictions have been lifted there has been a bounce back in bus and rail travel in the city region, with passenger numbers across the network 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. The operator also reported racegoers taking 100,000 journeys on the network to and from Aintree over the recent Grand National weekend, in a further boost to the regional economy.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Transport Portfolio Holder, 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.