New express bus route to link Widnes with Liverpool’s retail heart

Bus operator Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire has launched a new cut-price express service, the X5, which will connect Liverpool city centre and Widnes.

The speedy route will run from Widnes to the Liverpool One shopping centre with only five stops in between, providing shoppers with a handy, cost-effective route to the heart of Liverpool city centre in under an hour.

Rob Jones, managing director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, said: “Our new X5 service will cut the hassle and the price of travel for people journeying into Liverpool city centre from Widnes.

“This is a key route for commuters and people travelling into the city to enjoy a day’s shopping or leisure activity – so we’re delighted to be providing a quick, comfortable, and affordable means of travel for them.

“With stats showing that around 29% of shoppers on UK high streets use the bus to get to and from the city centre, buses are the lifeblood of our high street shops.

“We’re pleased to be helping shoppers and boosting city centre footfall and look forward to welcoming new and existing passengers on this speedy express service.”

The new service is launched tomorrow, Saturday, September 1, and is available Monday to Saturday.

Passengers can enjoy the use of charging points and free Wi-Fi on the journey.

The bus operator says tickets range from £2.20 one way for adults, or £1.10 for under-19s, to £14 for an all-week ticket.