Passengers on Merseyrail used the new tap and go system on more than 53,000 journeys in the first month of operation – but when will it accept debit card and phone payments? Tony McDonough reports
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has hailed the launch of tap and go payments on Merseyrail a success – but passengers still can’t use their debit cards or phones on the system.
Tap and go was launched at the beginning of August and so far more than 6,000 passengers have signed up with over 53,000 journeys taken across the network in the first month.
Currently, travellers are required to purchase a MetroCard for a pound. They then have to register the card online and link it to a bank card. Passengers have to tap in at the beginning and end of their journeys and are automatically charged the lowest fare.
It will take into account several factors – the time of day your journey is made (ie before or during off-peak) and the number of journeys made being some of these.
It will automatically check when and how often you have travelled to work out whether a single, return or Day Saver fare is the cheapest. The charge normally goes through the day after your journey.
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When the roll-out was first announced in the spring Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which introduced the system, said phase two would allow people to dispense with MetroCards and use their debit cards, phones or smart watches.
This second phase was originally planned to be implemented by the end of 2025. However, in its latest update the CA has removed any reference to timing and simply says it is “working towards contactless payments using debit cards and mobile devices”.
LBN asked for clarification on when debit card and phone payments would be. A spokesperson told us it was “still the plan” to launch this year. There are also plans to eventually extend tap and go to buses and ferries.
Mr Rotheram said he was pleased with early tap and go feedback. He added: “Tap and Go is not just faster and simpler—it’s saving people money, cutting down queues, and making the whole journey experience smoother.
“From commuters to casual travellers, thousands of people are telling us how much easier it makes getting around.
“We’ve always been clear that we’re building a modern, passenger-first transport system, and this is exactly the kind of innovation that shows we’re on the right track, with more developments to come.”