Merseyrail ticket system is an 'embarrassment' which exposes people to hefty fines

Merseyrail's ticketing system is an 'embarrassment' to the region and its 'out of date' ticketing system leaves passengers at the mercy of hefty fines, according to a Merseyside MP. Labour MP for Knowsley Anneliese Midgley was commenting on the campaign to simply railway ticketing and mentioned the plight of some of her constituents who have been denied travel for buying tickets legitimately online.

Currently, passengers who purchase Merseyrail tickets online must physically print off their tickets at home or use a ticket machine in a station. Under railway byelaws, a physical copy of train tickets must be presented during inspection which means passengers who paid full price online have been subject to fines - even if they can provide proof of purchase.

Ms Midgley, raised the issue to transport secretary, Louise Haigh in Parliament on Thursday November 21 and asked what steps are being taken to simplify railway ticketing. Ms Midgley said: "Some of my Knowsley constituents find themselves being fined or denied travel by Merseytravel for buying tickets legitimately online.

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"What steps is the Secretary of State taking to work with our mayor, Steve Rotheram, and with Merseyrail and other operators, to ensure that passengers are not unfairly penalised, and to create a clear and fair ticketing system that is easy for everyone to use?"

Ms Haigh responded: "This Government are committed to reviewing the over-complicated fares system to simplify it.

"My officials are exploring how ticketing innovations such as digital pay-as–you-go and digital season tickets can be rolled out more widely as quickly as possible."

Responding to the ECHO about her comments in the House of Commons, Ms Midgley added: "Passengers go to online platforms, and pay for tickets in good faith, only to then be denied travel or worse face a hefty fine because Merseyrail don't accept them.

"People’s lives are already busy and stressful enough without this. Our public services should be just that, serving the public and making things easier, not adding to the pressure."

"It’s an embarrassment and absolutely wild. That is why our Mayor introducing tap-and-go ticketing across the network next year welcome. If it works on our buses, in London, and Manchester, there’s no reason it can’t work here."

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) confirmed new technology and infrastructure is needed and are working with Merseyrail towards introducing a more simplified smart ticketing system to meet public demand and to address passengers’ current frustrations with online ticketing.

A spokesperson for the LCRCA said: "Phase 1 of our Tap and Go offer using Metro Cards on the Merseyrail network, has passed key milestones enabling us to move to the next stages of this part of the project, including testing.

"The second phase will see passengers able to use their bank card, or devices such as phones or watches, without the need for a MetroCard."