Several Liverpool bus timetables change from Sunday 30 August 2026, just before the start of September. Most of the adjustments are services returning to their normal pre-summer frequencies rather than completely new routes.
A second set of changes begins on Sunday 6 September, when the 10 and 10A between Liverpool and St Helens join the Liverpool City Region's new franchised bus network. Route 214 also moves to new timings, the 500 airport bus reduces from its summer peak, and a brand-new X3 express launches between St Helens and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The short version
- 30 August: Most core Liverpool routes (15, 26/27, 52 group, 75, 79, 86 group) return to higher pre-summer frequencies. The 500 airport bus drops from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes.
- 6 September: Routes 10 and 10A enter the new franchised network under public control. Route 214 timings change.
- New airport route: The X3 express starts on 6 September, connecting St Helens directly to Liverpool John Lennon Airport via Speke.
- Ticket rules: Operator-only tickets (such as Arriva-only or Stagecoach-only) will be phased out on the franchised St Helens network in September and October. Use Metro multi-operator tickets or the £2 capped single fare.
- Temporary roadworks: Major closures on Wellington Road (Wavertree) and Lorenzo Drive (West Derby) will divert the 60, 61 group, 121, 204 and 619 into autumn.
Main Liverpool bus changes at a glance
Merseytravel's service-change schedule lists the following revisions taking effect from 30 August across the city network:
| Route | What changes from 30 August |
|---|---|
| 10B / 10S | 10B returns to roughly every 10 minutes on weekday daytimes. 10S journeys return. |
| 12 / 13 | Each returns to roughly every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime, giving a combined bus every 7 to 8 minutes. |
| 15 | Weekday daytime service returns to roughly every 10 minutes. |
| 26 / 27 | Each circular returns to roughly every 10 minutes on weekday daytimes. |
| 52 / 52A / 52E | Combined weekday daytime frequency returns to roughly every 10 minutes. |
| 61 / 61A / 61B | Pre-summer timetable returns on weekday and Saturday services. |
| 62 | Weekday journeys return to the pre-summer timetable. |
| 75 | Weekday daytime times and frequency return to the pre-summer timetable. |
| 79 | Weekday daytime service increases to roughly every 7 to 8 minutes. The 79C is unchanged. |
| 86 / 86A / 86C | Pre-summer frequencies return. 86A journeys starting or finishing at Woodend Avenue and Gaskill Road return. |
| 500 | Monday to Saturday daytime frequency returns to every 30 minutes as the peak summer timetable ends. |
Saturday and Sunday services remain unchanged on several of these routes, so check your specific day rather than assuming weekday increases apply across the whole weekend.
Most 30 August changes reverse the summer timetable
Timing is key for passengers planning September travel: while commonly referred to as September changes, the first wave begins on Sunday 30 August.
Many Liverpool routes were temporarily thinned during July and August. The 15, 26, 27, 52 group, 75, 79 and 86 corridors are returning to higher frequencies as schools, colleges and offices return to normal routines.
This is not a full-scale redesign of Liverpool's bus network: routes stay largely identical while frequencies increase to cope with autumn demand. The practical step is to verify your normal morning departure on Merseytravel's bus service updates before travelling.
Route 10B weekday boost and 10S return
The 10 corridor between Liverpool, Huyton and St Helens sees phased changes taking place one week apart.
From 30 August, the 10B between Liverpool city centre and Huyton steps up to a weekday daytime frequency of roughly every 10 minutes, reversing its summer dip. Morning and afternoon 10S journeys that were withdrawn for the school holidays are also reinstated.
The 10 and 10A operate under their existing summer arrangements through Saturday 5 September before switching to an entirely new timetable the following morning.
The 10 and 10A join the franchised network on 6 September
From Sunday 6 September, the 10 and 10A become part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's publicly controlled franchised bus network.
The 10 operates between St Helens and Queen Square, serving Page Moss, Old Swan and Kensington. The 10A runs between St Helens and Liverpool ONE via Rainhill, Prescot Road, Old Swan, Kensington, Lime Street and Queen Square. Merseytravel has published the new 10 and 10A timetable valid from 6 September.
Late-night passengers should note a city-centre routing change: 10A journeys departing Liverpool ONE after 9pm will run via Strand Street, New Quay, King Edward Street, Byrom Street, Old Haymarket and Whitechapel before arriving at Queen Square. Those late journeys will not call at James Street or Lord Street stops.
Public control starts in St Helens first
The September launch marks the beginning of bus franchising in the Liverpool City Region, starting with St Helens as the first operating zone.
Under franchising, private operators still provide buses and drivers, but the Combined Authority sets routes, timetables, fares and vehicle standards under contract. Because routes 10 and 10A connect St Helens with Liverpool city centre, Liverpool passengers will experience the new franchised network directly on these services.
Other Liverpool corridors that have not yet transitioned continue under current commercial operator arrangements. Our guide on how Liverpool local government works explains how the Combined Authority and Merseytravel oversee regional transport separately from Liverpool City Council.