Merseyrail is working in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to develop a tap-and-go ticketing system which will be rolled out across Merseyrail’s Northern and Wirral lines.
Phase 1 will launch in the Autumn of 2024 and will allow you to tap in and out using a MetroCard, which will be linked to your bank or credit card and take payment for the journeys you make.
The second phase will launch in 2025, and will allow you to use your bank card, or devices such as smart phones or watches, to tap in and out, without the need for a MetroCard.
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: “Travelling on public transport should be simple, especially when it comes to how people pay for their journey. Yet, the reality is that our current ticketing system is no longer equipped to meet the demands of a growing 21st century city region like ours.
“I understand people’s frustrations about the current system and that’s why we’ve been working towards introducing a more simplified ticketing structure, but increasing public demand has meant that we’re now accelerating our plans.
“By upgrading our current paper ticketing with a new and improved smart system, we can make it easier and quicker for people to get from A to B. The tap-and-go, contactless system we’re introducing will unlock so many benefits for our region, removing the need for unnecessary queues, ensuring that no one spends more than they need to get around our region – and protecting revenue streams for further investment in improvements.
“London shows how well it can work – and I want to build a similar system in our area that makes ticketing easier, quicker and cheaper and, most importantly, works in favour of passengers, not profit.”
The key things you need to know about tap-and-go are;
- Tap-and-go works by tapping in at the start and end of your journey, using a platform validator or ticket gate.
- You will automatically be charged the best value fare for the journey you are making using tap-and-go – capped on a daily or weekly basis.
- You’ll be able to use tap-and-go on Merseyrail’s Northern and Wirral lines, with further integration with other rail network and modes of transport planned in the future.
- Our full range of non-tap-and-go products including Trio, Saveaway and Railpass will still be available to purchase either at your local station or online using your MetroCard via the MetroSmart portal.
- Ticket offices at Merseyrail stations will remain open as they are currently, offering you help and advice as you travel around the network.
Merseyrail says it will be sharing more details of the developments as it get closer to tap-and-go launching on the Merseyrail network.
