‘Tap and go’ ticketing will be introduced on the Merseyrail network later this year, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram reveals. Tony McDonough reports
Tap and go ticketing is to be introduced onto the Merseyrail network this year in a system similar to that used on London Underground.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram announced on Monday that tap and go would be available via the Liverpool City Region Metro Card by autumn 2024. Phase two, allowing people to pay using a debit card or smartphone, will be introduced in 2025.
Passengers will need to tap in at the beginning and end of their journey to ensure a lowest price fare promise – capped daily and weekly through the smart system – initially using a Metro Card linked to their bank account.
People will also still be able to buy season tickets, as well as daily and return tickets from rail stations and online via the Metro Portal if they wish.
Mr Rotheram said plans are progressing to ensure the infrastructure and technology are in place ahead of the launch of the service.
“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.
“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.”
This move is part of plans to inject almost £10m in transforming public transport ticketing across Liverpool city region. It is also designed to encourage more people out of their cars and on to buses, trains and ferries.
“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,” added the Mayor.
More information will be made available in the coming months ahead of the launch.