Liverpool City Region to pilot contactless Tap & Go travel scheme

Up to 50 volunteers are being sought to participate in a pilot scheme for Merseyrail’s new Tap & Go system—an innovative fare payment solution designed to guarantee the best available fare and eliminate the need to queue for tickets.

This pilot marks a significant milestone in the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s plans to introduce a London-style integrated transport network, with the full rollout of Tap & Go scheduled for later this year.

Participants in the trial will have the opportunity to evaluate the ease and efficiency of the system, which allows passengers to simply tap in and out of their journey using a MetroCard linked to their bank account—removing the need for paper tickets or ticket office interaction.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, commented:

“The measure of any 21st century public transport system is how quickly, cheaply and easily it helps passengers get from A to B – and that starts by how people pay for their journey. For too long, passengers in our region have been forced to contend with an outdated, antiquated and fragmented ticketing system that simply doesn’t work in their favour.”

“Our plans for a new tap-and-go system will make it easier than ever for passengers, removing unnecessary queues and ensuring they never have to pay over the odds to get about our region. We’ve seen how well it can work in places like London – and now it’s time that we built a system befitting of a modern, future-facing city region like ours.”

“Moving to this testing stage is a big step forward towards rolling out this technology which 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 – and protecting revenue streams for further investment in improvements.

“We’ve seen how well it works in London and now it’s time that we built our own system to benefit the residents of our city region.”

Suzanne Grant, Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy Managing Director at Merseyrail, stated:

“We are delighted to see the start of the public testing phase of Tap & Go. Customers have told us they want simpler, more modern ticketing and this pilot marks the start of a retail revolution for Merseyrail.”

“With a MetroCard linked to their bank account, customers can enjoy quicker, easier, and better value journeys. When Tap & Go officially launches, our team will be on hand to help customers navigate this exciting new way of paying for their travel.”

Tap & Go is the latest in a series of investments aimed at modernising ticketing and improving passenger experience across the city region’s public transport system. The system automatically calculates the most cost-effective fare for each passenger, using data from entry and exit taps on station gates or platform validators. Daily and weekly fare caps will ensure that passengers always receive the best possible value.

The full implementation of Tap & Go will occur in two phases. In summer 2025, the system will become available at all Merseyrail stations for passengers using MetroCards. A subsequent phase will expand the service to include direct payments using contactless bank cards and smart devices, such as mobile phones and watches.

This development forms part of the Combined Authority’s broader strategy to encourage public transport use, reduce car dependency, and support the region’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2035.

Significant progress is also being made on improving accessibility and expanding the Merseyrail network. The introduction of a £500 million fleet of modern trains is already underway, alongside the opening of a new station at Headbolt Lane. Additional stations are planned for Liverpool Baltic, Carr Mill (St Helens), Daresbury (Halton), and Woodchurch (Wirral).

Over 70% of stations across the region now feature step-free access from pavement to platform, complemented by the deployment of innovative sliding-step technology on new trains, further enhancing the network’s accessibility.

For those interested in shaping the future of transport in the Liverpool City Region, the Tap & Go pilot offers a unique opportunity to contribute to this transformative journey.

Applications to join the pilot scheme are now open via the Merseyrail website.

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