Merseytravel co-ordinates public transport and acts in partnership with private bus and rail operators to provide public transport in Merseyside.

Overall budget and policy responsibility rests with 18 Councillors from Merseyside's 5 Districts who serve on the Authority. The number of Councillors from each district is based on population as follows:

Liverpool - 6
Knowsley - 2
Sefton - 4
St Helens - 2
Wirral - 4

The Executive has a statutory role to advise the Authority and act as its "delivery arm".