Merseytravel Customer Forums

MERSEYTRAVEL'S Autumn Customer Forums will be held across the region from 15 October to 20 October 2012, giving people from across Merseyside the opportunity to air their views on public transport.   Each of the forums, held in Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral, offer people the chance to meet local  Councillors, representatives from Merseytravel, The British Transport Police and transport operators including Arriva, Stagecoach, Northern Rail and Merseyrail. There will also be 'Travel Surgeries' at each event, offering 1 to 1 advice and information.  Merseytravel Chair,  Councillor Liam Robinson, said:- "We had a great response when we launched the Customer Forums earlier this year and we expect interest to build over the coming months.  We've already been able to act upon a number of requests we got from the first round of Customer Forums and this month's forums will give us the opportunity to feed back directly to those concerned."

An example of what's been achieved since the first Customer Forums is the involvement of a number of customers in testing our new website (due to go live in this month) meaning any comments made have been used to ensure the website is fit for purpose prior to going live.

Iain M Banks will be in Liverpool Town Hall on Friday!

ON Friday, 12 October 2012, at Liverpool Town Hall, the UK's Number 1 Sci-Fi Author, Iain M Banks will be signing books and more... This is his 25 years of 'The Culture', and a once in a life time chance for you to get a personally signed copy of his latest book called:- 'The Hydrogen Sonata'. The Lord Mayor of Liverpool will be in attendance and this promises to be a huge treat for all Sci-Fi fans... Literally awesome! Tickets are Only £5 from formbybooks.co.uk or via calling 01704 830 130. The event starts at 7pm.

Mersey Ferries vessel to be laid up

1 of the 3 Mersey Ferries vessels is to be taken out of service from next January.  The Royal Daffodil has been named as the vessel to be laid up, as Ferries operators Merseytravel tailor the world-famous service to meet current demand and operating conditions.  Cllr Liam Robinson, Chair of Merseytravel, said, after the Tunnels, Ferries and Visitor Economy Committee made its recommendation:- "The decision to take one vessel out of service will not materially affect the Mersey Ferries service to the public; and it certainly doesn't signify any threat to this operation.  We recognise the place the Ferries hold in Merseyside lore and culture, and that they are an essential part of our heritage. We are committed to keeping them in operation.  But we also have to recognise that times have changed. Passenger numbers have fallen, to around 650,000 annually, and an operating deficit of £1million per annum cannot be sustained.   Also, vessels are more reliable now and we know we can operate an almost unchanged service with 2 vessels."  Ferries staff have been consulted about the proposal, and detailed talks are taking place around crewing and hours, to achieve the most suitable work patterns. Any decisions that affect the workforce will be made in agreement with the unions, and redundancies are not anticipated.   Talks are also taking place about an agreement for the surplus vessel to be loaned to a local museum or trust, with the option for it to be called back into service if necessary.   Cllr Robinson added:- "We are actively looking at other ways of reducing Ferries costs overall, as well as disposing of one vessel, to cut the operating deficit. Reducing the number of vessels is just one part of the process.  The Ferries offer an excellent service for the people of the City region; and are a great draw for tourists from all over the world. Greater use of this service by tourists and local people alike will ensure a secure future for an attraction which is synonymous with Merseyside. We are totally committed to keeping the Ferries on the river."