Merseyrail tap-and-go ticketing set to launch this year

The new ticketing system will be introduced in two phases

A tap-and-go ticketing system is set to be introduced on the Merseyrail network as part of a £10m investment.

Passengers will be able to use a Metro Card linked to their bank account for journeys across the Liverpool City Region from autumn.

Bank cards and smart devices will be able to be used next year.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said the move came as the current ticketing system was "no longer equipped" to meet passenger demand.

"Travelling on public transport should be simple, especially when it comes to how people pay for their journey," he said.

"Yet, the reality is that our current ticketing system is no longer equipped to meet the demands of a growing 21st century city region like ours."

He said he understood people's frustrations about the current system was "accelerating plans" to introduce "a more simplified ticketing structure".

The new tap-and-go system will accept contactless payments and will give commuters the best price for their journey and eliminate the need to purchase tickets in advance.

"By upgrading our current paper ticketing with a new and improved smart system, we can make it easier and quicker for people to get from A to B," Mr Rotheram said.

"The tap-and-go, contactless system we're introducing 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.

It is hoped the upgrade will encourage more people out of their cars and onto buses, trains and ferries to improve air quality and support the city region's ambition to be net zero carbon by 2040.

Passengers will need to tap in at the beginning and end of their journey to ensure a lowest price fare promise - capped daily and weekly through the smart system.

They will also still be able to buy season tickets, as well as daily and return tickets from rail stations and online via the Metro Portal.