Arriva invests £300k in cross-river services

Sep 8 2010 by Neil Hodgson, Birkenhead News

THEY say most British people have an obsession with the weather – but for me it’s buses.

I live in Wallasey and rely on the 432 to get to and from work so Arriva’s announcement is long overdue.

While I’m on my soapbox, I’ve long been frustrated at the lack of Liverpool buses from my side of Wirral, particularly between 8.30 and 9am.

Hopefully the changes will solve the problem.

And, while I know extra fuel and drivers have to be paid for, I hope Arriva won’t use this as an opportunity to squeeze more and more cash out of us long-suffering commuters.

BUS operator Arriva North West has invested £300,000 in increasing the frequency of its cross-river services to Liverpool city centre.

From Monday extra drivers and double-decker buses have been drafted in to increase capacity on the 437 route from West Kirby to Liverpool, which will run every seven minutes, and on the 432 and 433 from New Brighton to Liverpool which will run to a 15-minute frequency.

But the changes have come at a price – posters on cross-river buses this week announced a 10p increase in single fares.

Simon Finnie, general manager for Arriva’s Laird Street depot, said: “This is great news for customers using these routes because their time waiting at the bus stop will be reduced.

“We have also increased the frequency of these services on Sundays and Bank Holidays, with the 437 now running every 15 minutes and the 432 and 433 running every 15 minutes. Our 403 and 413 services from Liscard to Seacombe Ferry will now run every 20 minutes.

“Our customers will really notice the difference.”

From September 11, a new service, the N51, will run every Saturday night until 4.30am Sunday, to Neston.

What do you think? E-mail newsdesk@wirralnews.co.uk or write to Letters, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB.