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Improved bus links to John
Lennon Airport
FROM 4 September 2016, travellers to
and from Liverpool John Lennon Airport will now be able to take advantage of
improved bus links and lower fares to make their journey better than ever,
thanks to an exciting new regional partnership.
The extended 500 bus route from Arriva between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and
Liverpool One Bus Station now serves Liverpool South Parkway in both directions,
providing easier connections for travellers using this busy rail station and bus
interchange.
With a fleet of upgraded Arriva double decker buses, the new 500 service
delivers improved comfort and even more space for passengers and their luggage.
All of the buses on the route are equipped with comfortable e-leather seating as
well as free WiFi and USB charging so travellers can stay connected on the go.
And to keep passengers fully informed of the progress of their journey, a new
audio visual announcement system has been installed on all route 500 buses.
In addition to offering a host of improvements, the newly launched service also
comes with a cheaper price tag, with ticket prices reduced from £3 to £2.20.
Rail 'add on' tickets (extending a rail journey on to the airport)
are also now cheaper, for example a passenger travelling from Crewe and adding a
bus on from South Parkway to the Airport will pay just £2 instead of £2.20.
Arriva has worked in partnership with Merseytravel, Liverpool John Lennon
Airport, Liverpool City Council and Merseyrail to bring improved bus links and
create a more comfortable, connected and cost effective journey for passengers.
Improved links to and from the airport and better integration with rail services
have been two of the key work areas of the Bus Alliance which is seeing
Merseytravel, Arriva and Stagecoach work together to transform bus services to
encourage more people to take the bus.
Howard Farrall, Manging Director for Arriva Merseyside, said:- "The new
and improved 500 service now offers much more to passengers, at an even better
price. We will continue to work with our partners to make further improvements
that benefit our passengers, including plans to add even more staff to the
Arriva customer care team at the airport to ensure we can look after our
customers' needs on the ground seven days a week. With further planned
improvements for the near future, including bus ticket sales from the airport
information desk real time bus travel information."
Robin Tudor, Head of PR for Liverpool John Lennon Airport added:- "The
Airport is delighted to have worked in partnership with the other stakeholders
to help bring about this improved public transport service. The extended 500 bus
service responds to feedback from our passengers and brings an important
improvement for the Airport by giving our passengers a faster, direct link to
nearby Liverpool South Parkway, enhancing the customer journey. Combined with
the new through-ticketing to enable passengers to purchase a combined rail and
bus ticket, this will help to make travel to and from the airport by public
transport a more attractive option."
Said Cllr Liam Robinson, Chair of the Merseytravel Committee:- "We've long
championed improved links to airport which is 1 of the City Region's key assets.
A frequent connection to rail services gives passengers more choice, opportunity
and ease in getting to and from the airport, whether it be holidaymakers or
business travellers, both those locally or from further afield. People who work
at the airport will also have more flexibility in how they travel. It's also
about quality of services and we welcome the investment in vehicles that are
luggage friendly and can keep passengers connected on the go through WiFi and
charging points."
A pilot 24 hour service on route 86A will run from September to
December 2016, further enhancing the coverage at the airport.
Other Key work areas of the Bus Alliance will include:-
► A review of the City Region bus network.
► Investment in new and greener vehicles.
► On board WiFi and at seat USB charging points on all new vehicles.
► Simpler ticketing and a review of zonal structures and pricing.
► Review of all customer information including more Real Time Information.
► Improved Customer Service training for all bus drivers.
The aim of the Bus Alliance is to encourage more people to travel by bus. It is
about creating better bus services for existing and potential new users.
Ultimately, growing the number of fare paying passengers drives up investment
for all.
A formal partnership between Merseytravel, Arriva and Stagecoach, it is
redefining the way we 'do' bus in the Liverpool City Region. The
Alliance is focussed on quality of vehicles and customer service, value for
money journeys and straightforward travel from simple fare structures to easy to
understand journey planning and a clear, simple bus network.
As 80% of public transport journeys in the City Region are made by bus, there is
potential for bus to play a much more significant role in growing our economy,
better linking people with jobs and opportunities, education and leisure. |
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Annual Running Day for
Merseyside Heritage Transport Charity
THE Merseyside Transport Trust (MTT)
will be holding its' running day event, on Sunday, 11 September 2016, to raise
funds for the upkeep of its' fleet of over 50 vintage vehicles. This is a
rare and unique opportunity to enjoy a ride on some of buses in our collection,
some of which featured at The 'Light Night' event back in May. The
event is also aimed to attract new members, volunteers, sponsorship and generate
interest within the community. This event is in association with 'Heritage
Open Days' (HODS)
This year's event will feature services between Liverpool Pier Head's Mann
Island, Aigburth Vale, Walton, Speke Hall and the surrounding areas. Due to
refurbishment works, our event will not be operating from Liverpool South
Parkway Interchange as we have done in previous years. A souvenir programme and
guide to the day will be available for just £5 and any donations you would like
to make to the group would be most welcome.
Steve Kelly, Chairman of The MTT is leading the event and has been involved with
the group for over 30 years. Steve said:- "This event is now in its' 11th
year and has gone from strength to strength using a similar format. We have been
consistently attracting large numbers which is encouraging for a small charity
and always looking at ways to make this event a huge success. All funds raised
at the event will go a long way in helping to keep our collection safe for the
future. We rely totally on donations and the good nature of people."
Buses run generally every 15 minutes starting around 10:00am from Mann Island
and will observe all normal bus stops along the routes. The event runs from
approx.10:00 until approx.4pm.
For more information see our
website, 'like' us on
Facebook (Merseyside Transport Trust) or contact them via emailing:-
publicity@mttrust.co.uk.
Information event taking
place for new M56 Junction 11a
DRIVERS, business owners and residents
will be able to find out more about 2 Options for a new Junction 11a, on the
M56, at an information event that will be held at Runcorn Linnets Football Club,
on Tuesday, 6 September 2016, from 10am to 8pm. The Runcorn Linnets Football
Club is located on Murdishaw Ave, Runcorn, WA7 6DL. We are told that:-
"All comments will help inform proposals for a consultation later in the 2016.
The plan is to ease congestion, relieve pressure on Junction 12 and improve
connections to the Mersey Gateway and we need the public's help to do this."
The M56 is an important strategic route, linking North Wales to Manchester and
the M6, as well as the Wirral, via the A55 and M53. It also provides links to
both Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport, as well as Chester
and South Warrington.
Project manager Sophie Diver said:- "The government is investing heavily
in additional capacity and connections to future proof our network and to
reflect the growth in the regional economy. The M56 is an important strategic
route for the North West. Drivers will benefit from the additional capacity and
connectivity that a new junction will provide."
Outline designs are currently being developed for the new M56 Junction are:-
► Option 1 – East Option... This option would
introduce a new junction to the East of the West Coast Main Line, connecting to
the A56 Chester Road to the South and the existing Murdishaw roundabout to the
North.
► Option 2 – West Option... This option would
introduce a new junction to the West of the West Coast Main Line, connecting to
a new roundabout at the South and the A533 Southern Expressway to the North.
The Highways Agency said:- "We are carrying out a number of surveys in the
area to gather information, which will help us to develop each improvement
option. Ecology surveys are taking place to identify if any protected species
are present. This will help us to understand the environmental impacts. We
expect to announce a preferred route in Spring 2017. The construction is
expected to begin by March 2020. More information on the scheme is available on
Highways England's
webpage for the proposal documents."
Please also let us know what your views are, via emailing us to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.com.
Blackpool Illuminations can
be seen all the way to Miniland
TO mark the start of the 2016
illuminations in Blackpool, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre has brought the world
famous light show to the Manchester attraction, LEGO® style. Visitors will find Miniland's very own Blackpool, in miniature with the hordes of excited fans
awaiting the big switch on!
For more information and to buy tickets, please visit:-
LegoLandDiscoveryCentre.Co.UK. For regular news,
updates and competitions, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre in Manchester is also on
Facebook and
Twitter.
Get Snappy! There's only 1 month left to
enter manufacturing photography competition
ONLY 1 month remains to get entries in for EEF's
prestigious annual manufacturing photography competition; sponsored by Canon.
The competition, now in its 7th year, is asking photographers to submit images
that capture the essence of modern manufacturing. Photographs can portray any
stage of manufacturing; from design, process and technology in action through to
the finished product; and can cover traditional or high tech sectors. Winners
will compete for a set of Canon photography equipment and will see their work
displayed in the House of Commons. They could even see their photographs appear
in the media. The competition is free to enter and open to professional, amateur
and young photographers. The competition closes on 30 September 2016. For more
information and to enter click on
here. |
