They're used by millions of people across the country every day and are described by Boris Johnson as being key to his 'levelling up' vision to spread opportunity around the country.
But in the Liverpool City Region and around the North of England, local bus services face an uncertain future amid declining passenger numbers, a driver shortage and fears the industry could fall off a financial cliff.
Transport bosses across the country fear vital bus routes could be cut when emergency Covid funding runs out at the end of March, with operators facing a drop in revenue as passenger numbers are yet to return to their pre-pandemic levels.
