Merseyrail to increase services in response to new COVID-19 restrictions

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

From then, 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.

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)

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.

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

• 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

There may be further amendments and the timetable will be reviewed in line with government public health advice as the national restrictions progress.

Andy Heath, Merseyrail managing director, 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.

“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.”