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Public control of bus services is coming to Wirral later this month, and it means changes to some services to and from West Kirby, Hoylake and Meols.
Go North West has been awarded franchises for Wirral services which are currently operated by Arriva, Stagecoach and A2B.
It will see the introduction of the hourly 483/484 which will link West Kirby to Arrowe Park Hospital via Hoylake, Meols, Moreton and Upton, returning via Greasby. It will run hourly from 7am - 12 midnight every day, benefiting shift workers who work at the hospital.
The 81 from West Kirby to Arrowe Park Hospital is being withdrawn.
The 80 West Kirby to Newton circular becomes the 480 and will run every hour, doubling the number of services operated currently.
The 482 will replace the 82 Caldy Circular and will be rerouted and extended to Heswall via Thurstaston. It will operate hourly from Monday to Saturday but will no longer serve Column Road.
The 407 which currently runs from West Kirby to Liverpool via Hoylake will instead start and finish at Moreton.
The 38 from West Kirby to Eastham becomes the 438 and is largely unchanged, as is the 437 from West Kirby to Liverpool.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Back in the 80s, our bus services were deregulated. Now, for the first time in 40 years, we’re bringing them back under public control where they belong. Following our launch in St Helens earlier this month, this is another huge step toward building the public transport network our region deserves.
“From day one, passengers in Wirral will see real improvements. We’re putting on more frequent buses, running better evening and Sunday timetables, and adding direct links to both Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals.
“We are building a first-class network that local people deserve and putting the public back into public transport.”
Cllr Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said: “This is one of the biggest changes to our bus network in a generation and an important milestone for public transport in Wirral. Residents have told us they want services that are reliable, affordable and fit around their lives, and that’s exactly what these improvements are designed to deliver.
“Whether it’s getting to work, college, hospital appointments or spending time with family and friends, better bus services help connect people to opportunity. More frequent services, better evening and weekend connections, and improved links to major hospitals will help people get where they need to be more easily and conveniently.
“These changes are a great example of how investment in public transport can deliver real benefits for residents while helping us build a better connected, greener and more inclusive borough.”
The changes take effect from Sunday 25 October.
Full details of all Wirral routes can be found at https://merseytravel.adidocdn.dev/Content/Bus/Wirral-Network-Listing-from-25th-October-2026.pdf.
