A VETERAN Birkenhead politician has called on Merseytravel to rethink their decision to scrap the last remaining cross-river night bus which he says will mean some people cannot afford to work.

The 500 and 501 night buses from Liverpool to Birkenhead and New Brighton will cease to run from Saturday, April 18.

The cross-river night bus services were commercially-run by Ace Travel before the company went into liquidation in March.

Merseytravel temporarily subsidised most of its routes – including the 500 and 501 – but with less than four people per service using the service during the week and less than six at weekends, the service is no longer justifiable.

Merseytravel says the service was costing them £7 per passenger.

The night buses offer those living in Wirral a cheap way to get home from work or after a night out in the city.

Frank Field – who is defending his Birkenhead seat at the General Election – has written to Merseytravel today to express his concern about the impact the decision will have on Birkenhead residents who work night shifts in Liverpool.

In his letter, Mr Field writes: "Should they wish to keep their jobs, these workers will have to find enough money from their wages to cover expensive taxi journeys to and from work. This might mean, for some, that they cannot afford to work."

He also asks in the letter whether Merseytravel would consider setting up as soon as possible an alternative bus service which keeps open the Birkenhead to Liverpool route every night.

Mr Field is also asking the transport operator to publish which bus services receive a subsidy, the total subsidy awarded to each service, and the routes they cover.

Last July saw Arriva’s fleet of cross-river buses scrapped as they too were deemed too costly.

The withdrawal of the final of what some deem to be a vital service, will leave Wirral with no night buses to Liverpool.

A spokesperson for Merseytravel said: “The cross-river night bus services were commercially- run by Ace Travel before the company went into liquidation on March 1.

“Merseytravel temporarily subsidised most of its routes from this date, including the 500 and 501, to allow time for tenders to be put out for the services to be run on a supported basis for 12 months from April.  

“However, the bids for all former Ace services came back at a significantly higher cumulative cost.

“The decision not to continue the cross river night services, and a number of other services, was based on this cost combined with low passenger numbers.

“Merseytravel has limited resources and has to ensure they are focussed where there is most need and that services offer value for money.”

The service – which is currently being run by Stagecoach on a temporary basis funded by Merseytravel - could be reinstated if an operator takes a decision to run it commercially.

Operators can apply to the Traffic Commissioner to run services anywhere at any time.

Social media users claimed Merseytravel was breaching an Act of Parliament by providing the service but there is no legal obligation for the transport operator to do so.

The spokesperson added: “Merseytravel does recognise the important role transport provision plays in the night time economy.

“We need to properly research what’s on offer currently and what’s needed to create a sustainable network long term. We’ll be looking at this as part of the bus strategy we’re developing with input from operators.”

  • What do you think of the cross-river night buses being axed? Have your say below or email emma.rigby@nqnw.co.uk