Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham is using funds recovered from train manufacturer Stadler to fund a special weekend January ticket offer for all Merseyrail travellers. Tony McDonough reports
People travelling on Merseyrail on the weekend during January will be able to enjoy unlimited journeys for just £2.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has secured funds from Swiss train manufacturer Stadler to fund the initiative. Stadler agreed to hand over cash after teething problems on its new £500m train fleet caused delays and disruption during 2024.
This special weekend offer will begin on Saturday, January 4, and end on Sunday, January 26, with tickets for children aged five to 15 costing just £1. They are available on all Merseyrail lines.
“Making public transport more affordable and accessible is a key part of my mission,” said Mr Rotheram. “This £2 unlimited travel offer will help start off 2025 in the best way by helping people get around without worrying about cost.
“Investing in new trains and infrastructure is about making life better for people—whether that’s getting to work, visiting family, or just enjoying a day out.
“We’ve capped bus fares at £2, protected the country’s most generous concessionary travel scheme, and delivered the UK’s first publicly-owned train fleet in a generation.
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Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been working with Stadler, Merseyrail and Network Rail to improve the availability and performance of the new trains across the rollout period.
This move is part of a series of initiatives brought in by Mayor Rotheram to help reduce the cost of public transport in the city region.
Measures include freezing ticket prices on Merseyrail, capping bus fares at just £2, offering unlimited daily bus travel for young people for just £2.20 and maintaining the country’s most generous concessionary travel scheme.