Merseyrail increases services in response to Liverpool entering tier 2 restrictions next week

Following the Government’s announcement that the Liverpool City Region will be placed in Tier 2 restrictions from 2 December, Merseyrail will be increasing its services on parts of the network from Saturday 5 December.

From Saturday 5 December, services between Liverpool Central and Southport will be increased to a 15-minute frequency Monday to Saturday, with trains continuing to operate every 30 minutes on Sundays.

Services between Southport and Hunts Cross will terminate at Liverpool Central, meaning passengers will not be able to travel directly between the stations and will have to change at Liverpool Central. Ormskirk trains will start and terminate at Hunts Cross.

The timetable across the rest of the Merseyrail network continues to operate as follows:

• Ormskirk line – every 30 minutes Monday to Sunday
• Kirkby line – every 30 minutes Monday to Sunday
• Hunts Cross line – every 30 minutes Monday to Sunday
• Chester and Ellesmere Port lines – every 30 minutes Monday to Sunday (15-minute service between Hooton and Liverpool)
• West Kirby and New Brighton lines – every 30 minutes Monday to Sunday (15-minute service between Birkenhead North and Liverpool)

From Wednesday 2 December, government-issued travel advice is that passengers can travel with confidence by following the advice below.

• Avoid peak travel if you can (between 07:00-09:30 and 16:00-18:30)
• Allow extra time for your journey
• Face coverings must be worn at all times at stations or on trains, unless exempt. Maximum fines of £6,400 can be issued by British Transport Police for those refusing to comply
• Use contactless payments where possible
• Wash or sanitise hands as soon as possible before and after travel 
• Remain seated where you can
• Maintain social distancing where possible 
• Follow advice from staff and be considerate to other passengers 
• Do not use public transport if you, or a member of your household, has COVID-19 symptoms or you have been instructed to self-isolate
• Aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible.

Passengers who would prefer to travel on six-car carriages can visit this webpage to check which services are operating as six-cars in advance here.

There may be further amendments and the timetable will be reviewed in-line with government public health advice as the national restrictions progress. Merseyrail encourages all customers to check before you travel. This can be done by visiting the website www.merseyrail.org or the Merseyrail Twitter account @merseyrail for the latest information.

Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail, said:

“As we prepare to move out of the second period of national lockdown restrictions, we are pleased to be able to increase services on the Merseyrail network to help our passengers begin to travel around the Liverpool City Region again in the run up to Christmas.

Great news as @tateliverpool has announced its reopening next week with two new collections, and lots for you to enjoy.

😃 https://t.co/hLKZF6yQXx pic.twitter.com/1Bauo5SlCO

— The Guide Liverpool 🌇 (@TheGuideLpool) November 27, 2020

“From next week, we anticipate more people will begin to travel on the network and these changes aim to meet that increase in demand, whilst ensuring we continue to be able to offer a safe, reliable and sustainable service for our passengers.

“Anyone travelling with us can do so with confidence by following the clear travel advice provided. I’d particularly like to remind passengers that it is mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport unless exempt.”

Full timetable information and COVID-19 travel advice can be found here. Further information on government guidance and restrictions can be found at www.gov.uk.