MERSEYTRAVEL has delivered a pleasing 'budget' with a below-inflation increase of 2.5 per cent.

And Merseyside's 250,000 concessionary pass holders will continue to enjoy free travel - the only scheme outside London which offers this.

Merseytravel chair Mark Dowd said the levy - the amount Merseytravel raises from the district councils to provide public transport - had fallen from a forecast £80.6 million to £74 million.

"We have achieved this through good housekeeping and efficiency savings which mean we can focus on delivering front-line schemes which have a real benefit - like concessionary travel.

"And a lower levy is good news for the district councils who are currently wrestling with their own budgets," added Councillor Dowd. "Merseytravel will continue to work closely with its partners - whether in Europe, the private sector or the local community - to ensure the best deal for the travelling public and the Council Tax payer."

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