THERE has been a 9% increase in bus passengers across Merseyside new figures have revealed.

The numbers of passengers in the last three months of 2018 show an increase in fare-paying passenger journeys compared to the same period in 2017.

Since 2013/14 there has been a 16% increase in fare-paying passengers - bucking the national trend of falling passenger numbers.

It is believed that the reduction in cost of weekly tickets is contributing to the rise.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has welcomed the news, he told the Globe: "With 80 per cent of public transport journeys in our city region made by bus, we know just how important our bus network is in getting people to work and education and in making the most of their leisure time.

“These figures are encouraging but the job is far from over.

"We need to continue to work to make our bus network one that supports all who depend on it as well as attracting new users.

"We now have greater powers at our disposal to make buses even better and we want to hear local people’s views and experiences, through our Big Bus Debate, as we decide which route we go down.”

The success of the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Bus Alliance - a formal partnership between Merseytravel, Arriva and Stagecoach, is believed to be another main factor in the fare-paying passenger increase.

Transport portfolio lead for the LCR combined authority Cllr Liam Robinson said: “The Bus Alliance is rightly focusing on the whole customer experience in boosting passenger numbers from the quality and cleanliness of vehicles to better value fares and service information.

“Positively, the growth may also be an indication of our strengthening economy.

"Our City Region has 7.6 per cent more employees compared with five years ago– people who need ways to get to work.

“However, just as important are those people who rely on buses to get to the shops, doctors’ appointments and to play a part in their communities and, with the new powers available to us, we are looking very closely at how we can get a network that works for everybody.”

Mayor Rotheram will hold a 'Big Bus Debate' across the Liverpool City Region's six areas; Wirral, Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Sefton in Spring to find out what local residents want and expect from their bus services.