A direct express route between St Helens town centre and Liverpool John Lennon Airport will launch as the X3 service. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "When I said we were taking back control of our buses, it was never just about changing who runs them. "It was about building a public transport network that works for local people. Over 25,000 more Liverpool City Region residents will have direct public transport access to Liverpool John Lennon Airport in under an hour. The X3 service is part of broader plans to improve transport links to the airport, including funding unlocked to deliver a brand-new rapid transit system that will cut journey times between Liverpool City Centre, Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the football stadiums.