More than one million journeys have now been made using Tap & Go on the Merseyrail network, marking a major milestone for smart ticketing across the Liverpool City Region.
It has never been simpler to travel on Merseyrail as passengers can now Tap & Go using a MetroCard, a bank card, smartphone or smartwatch, with the majority choosing to use their mobile phone.
Available at all 69 Merseyrail stations, the automatic ticketing system ensures passengers are always charged the value fare for their journey.
Passengers have welcomed the introduction of Tap & Go, highlighting how quick and easy it makes travelling from the convenience of tapping in and out with a phone to avoiding queues, with more than 35,000 journeys recorded during last month’s three-day Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse.
This phase of smart ticketing, backed by a £10 million investment from Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, is a vital stepping stone towards a seamless, region‑wide Tap & Go experience across rail, bus, ferries and future forms of transport which put passengers at the heart of a joined‑up system.
Modern Transformation of the Regional Transport Network
Tap & Go reduces the need to queue for tickets, eases pressure at busy stations and gives passengers greater flexibility over how they travel, whether commuting to work, heading into town or exploring the City Region.
Passengers who prefer to use a MetroCard can continue to do so, and ticket offices remain open for customers who wish to buy paper tickets, ensuring the network remains inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Tap & Go is available across the Merseyrail network, with passengers able to use contactless bank cards, smartphones and smartwatches at station gates and platform validators. For more information about Tap & Go, including how it works and where it can be used, visit here.
The success of the automated fare system highlights a rapid shift in commuter habits toward digital payment methods since its implementation. Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said:
“Reaching one million Tap & Go journeys in such a short space of time just proves that people across our region were more than ready for a simpler, more modern way to travel.
“Tap & Go is all about putting passengers first by making it quicker and easier to get where you need to be, while ensuring you always pay the cheapest possible fare.”
Fare Freeze and Network Improvements Drive Rising Passenger Numbers
Regional leaders are tracking steady progress across the rail system alongside the expansion of new ticketing technologies. Mayor Steve Rotheram added:
“Our network performance levels continue to improve, and together with a freeze on rail fares until 2027 that I announced earlier this year, I hope this encourages even more people to travel using our fantastic train services, which are also some of the most reliable in the country.”
