• Combined Authority staff met with 440 local primary school pupils to discuss the major upcoming changes to the region’s transport network.
• Students learned about travel safety, career paths, and how the new publicly controlled bus system will work.
• The interactive visits aim to give young people a voice in shaping a greener, better-connected public transport network.

Staff from the Combined Authority worked with local schools in Wirral this week, reaching hundreds of young people to discuss the future of the region’s transport network.

The Combined Authority is preparing to deliver one of the biggest changes to public transport in forty years, bringing buses back under public control.

As part of this major update, building awareness with residents, including young people, of the changes to come has become a vital part of the Bus Franchising programme.

Citizen Participation Officers Laura Smith and Millie McCaughrean from the Bus Franchising team visited New Brighton Primary School and Bidston Village Primary School to take part in the schools’ annual Aspiration Day celebrations.

Aspiration Day is a special event dedicated to helping pupils think about their futures, explore exciting career paths, citizenship and discover how they can make a positive impact in their communities.

Across both schools, the team met with around 440 children and young people, introducing them to the world of public transport and showing them the opportunities a modern, connected network can bring.

The interactive sessions, delivered alongside Bus Franchising Project Support Officer Shaquita Corry-Powell, helped pupils learn about the environmental benefits of a cleaner, greener bus fleet, and how major public projects can improve everyday life. Pupils also discussed independent travel, bus safety and how to avoid anti-social behaviour whilst using the transport network.

At New Brighton Primary School—which serves a diverse community of 581 pupils, including specialist support for children with speech, language, communication, and learning needs—the children were especially interested to learn how routes, fares and timetables will work under the soon-to-be-introduced franchised system.

Laura Smith said: “The enthusiasm from the pupils was remarkable. The Year 6 students asked really insightful questions about our new electric buses, ticket prices, and accessibility.

“Through a series of fun and informative activities we helped them learn how good public transport allows communities to access education, work and leisure activities.

“Their curiosity shows they have a genuine interest in how things like better public transport can help improve the future of the region.”

Noah, 11 who is in year 6 at New Brighton Primary School said: “Next year I’ll be using the bus to get to and from school, so I wanted to find out more about them. One thing I learned is that every bus can save as much petrol as if you had 75 cars on the road!”

Sophia, 11 also in year 6 at New Brighton Primary School said: “I found out that the new buses will have all sorts of features – like you’ll be able to charge your phone! Next year I’ll be using the bus to go to dancing practice so it’s good to know I won’t run out of battery.”

In addition to the visits in Wirral, the Combined Authority team have updated schools across St Helens on the upcoming changes to the bus network, including Grange Valley Primary School, Eaves Primary School and Merton Bank Primary School among others, engaging more than 950 pupils, including around 300 children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The school visits, alongside other in-person events on bus franchising being held across the region, reflect the Combined Authority’s wider goal: putting City Region residents’ voices at the heart of the project to deliver a world-class public transport network.