A dedicated bus service has been launched for Tranmere fans living “over the water” to take them from Liverpool directly to matches at Prenton Park.

Running until the end of the season - beginning with Rovers home fixture against Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday - it is hoped the bus will provide a hassle free journey to games from Liverpool city centre for just £2 each way.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s a match day bus would travel from Tranmere’s car park to games at Anfield and Goodison.

Now Tranmere Rovers Trust, in partnership with Stagecoach, wants to attract fans from the Liverpool side of the river to sample more affordable football at Prenton Park.

Trust chairman Ben Harrison said: “As a Trust we are excited about giving people the opportunity to be able to come and watch affordable football at Tranmere Rovers.

“A bus that goes direct to the ground for £2 gives football fans the chance to watch a live game at a time when the price of Premier League tickets may be beyond their means.

“The last ten home games of our season are going to be exciting and we hope the Merseyside public will come and support the Club.

“We are also hoping to pick up tourists in the city who may want a hassle free way of taking in a match at Prenton Park.”

Tranmere chairman Mark Palios said: “When I played for Tranmere, there would always be a lot of supporters coming over from Liverpool to watch us play on a Friday night and there would be a fantastic atmosphere.

“Now with the Premier League fixture schedules as they are, it is rare for Liverpool or Everton to be home at 3pm on a Saturday.

“So we hope that by making transport easily accessible, we can attract as many people from across the water to come and experience affordable live football at Prenton Park for our all-important run in as we aim to get back into the Football League.”

Vice chairman Nicola Palios said: “Tranmere is trying hard to be Merseyside’s home of affordable live football, with child tickets from only £2 and adults from £17, and so we are delighted that the supporters have set up a low cost and efficient way to enable those from the other side of the Mersey to get to games.

“We hope it will encourage more people to come and support us in our quest for promotion this season.”

The bus times are as follows:

12.30pm Dale Street, 12.32pm Victoria Street, 12.34pm Lime Street, arriving Prenton Park at 12.55pm.

1.30pm Dale Street, 1.32pm Victoria Street, 1.34pm Lime Street, arriving Prenton Park at 1.55pm.

2.30pm Dale Street, 2.32pm Victoria Street, 2.34pm Lime Street, arriving Prenton Park at 2.55pm.

Post-match return services to Liverpool Whitechapel will run from:

Prenton Park at 4.55pm and 5.40pm

For midweek games two TR1 services will run at the following times:

6pm Dale Street, 6.02pm Victoria Street, 6.04pm Lime Street, arriving Prenton Park at 6.30pm.

7pm Dale Street, 7.02pm Victoria Street, 7.04pm Lime Street, arriving at Prenton Park at 7.30pm.

The return service to Liverpool Whitechapel will depart Prenton Park directly after the game.