A new survey by an independent consumer watchdog shows 89% of bus passengers in Merseyside are satisfied with the overall service.

Stagecoach’s services rated 92% and Arriva’s 86%.

The average across the area was 88% - up one per cent on last year’s review.

The results are published by Passenger Focus and are based on responses from more than 1,700 passengers who took part in the annual Bus Passenger Survey.

David Sidebottom, Passenger Focus acting chief executive, said: “These results are good news for bus passengers, operators and transport authorities in Merseyside.

“This improvement in bus passengers’ overall satisfaction demonstrates what can be done when bus operators and transport authorities use the survey results to identify improvements for their passengers.

“However, there is still room for improvement.

“The survey provides pointers for future action and our conversations with operators and authorities have helped identify what could be done to improve passenger satisfaction.”

34,000 people from 19 areas took part in the biggest single survey of bus passenger views to be published in England.