An MP has launched a campaign to restore a "crucial" express bus service after hearing stories of how its left passengers "at the mercy of the market".
Launching an online petition to put the X1 Runcorn-Liverpool back on the road on Monday, Mike Amesbury MP shared the tale of businesswoman Raj Bala, who before the X1 was cancelled had a travel time of 50 minutes from Liverpool but now endures a two-hour bus ride to Shopping City where she runs Glow Brow Bar. A spokesman for Mr Amesbury's office confirmed that the scrapping of the popular X1 bus service last year had resulted in a gruelling four-hour daily round trip for the businesswoman, until a family member stepped in to offer lifts home at the end of the working day.
Labour MP for Weaver Vale Mr Amesbury has called on Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Halton Borough Council to "look again at" reinstate the "vital service" to Liverpool. He also demanded the Government provides funding to restore the service as he pointed the finger at "Tory privatisation" for its demise.
