‘Le bus’ arrives in Liverpool!

A fleet of buses in Liverpool is adopting a European approach tosupport the city's Capital of Culture status.

Merseyside's biggest bus operator, Arriva, today unveiled 'Lebus', a unique concept in bus travel which promises top level,customer-focused service supported by industry-leading trainingstandards and technology.

Twenty five branded buses will run on the high frequency routesto Crosby and Netherton, providing regular daytime, evening andweekend services. The fleet is fitted with CCTV and the 'Announce'system – an audio visual display, which informs customers ofstopping points and relevant connecting services.

Arriva is also working to ensure that all vehicles on Le busroutes will use environmentally-friendly, low emission diesel andwill be easily accessible for people with limited mobility orparents with young children.

Bob Hind, managing director of Arriva North West and Wales,said:

This kind of long-term commitment from a bus operatoris unrivalled in Liverpool. It's important that customers feelconfident about using our services, and by guaranteeing that Le buswill operate for at least five years, we give stability andsurety.

Bus services will play an even bigger role in 2008,with the huge influx of global visitors expected to join in thecity's celebrations. We will be offering high frequency, easilyaccessible services with clear, up to dateinformation.

Drivers working on Le bus services have gone through customercare training to help deliver a quality travelling experience. Inaddition, it is expected that the basic frequency of Le busservices will remain unchanged for at least five years.

With its own customer charter, Le bus services will guaranteefree travel for customers if Arriva is responsible for delays ofmore than five minutes to the journey.

However, to combat road congestion, Arriva is also seeking towork with local authorities to see if bus priority measures can beimplemented to help further improve reliability for customers on Lebus services.