Move is the latest step towards the creation of a new smart and contactless ticketing system, which can be used across the Liverpool City Region transport network. Tony McDonough reports
Merseytravel is extending its Walrus smartcard to cover weekly, monthly and annual Railpass tickets from Monday, February 18.
The move is the latest step towards the creation of a new smart and contactless ticketing system, which can be used across the Liverpool City Region transport network – a key pledge of Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram.
Currently, Saveaway, Solo and Arriva and Stagecoach weekly passes can be loaded onto the Walrus Card. There is a £1 charge to purchase the card but then the same card can be reused at no additional charge.
Walrus cards loaded with Railpass tickets can be purchased at all staffed Merseyrail Northern and Wirral line stations and, depending on the zones they cover, can be used across all rail lines in the Merseytravel network.
The can also be used on the Northern-operated City Line. Smart Railpass tickets will also be available to buy from City Line stations from next month.
The rollout of Railpass onto smart card is the result of joint work by Merseytravel, Merseyrail and Transport for the North – the regional body driving and delivering rail improvements for the North of England.
Mr Rotheram said: “Introducing a smart ticket that makes using our transport network simple and journeys as cheap as possible was one of my election promises. Smart ticketing technology will give customers greater choice about when and how they pay for travel, and help ensure they always get the best value fare.
“Tens of thousands of bus and train users in the city region can already make journeys using smart cards, with Railpass just the latest product to become available on what has been known as Walrus.
“But we’re now looking at how we create a new smart ticket – as well as contactless and online payment options – which is fit for the future and will work seamlessly across the entire city region transport network.