Bank card and smart watch tap-and-go system coming to Merseyrail

There a few things passengers need to know when the new system starts.

Passengers should use what are called platform validators and new smart ticketing gates which are now available at Merseyrail stations.

Where there is not a gate, there will be a validator, Merseyrail said.

The firm said passengers would need to use the same card or mobile device for every tap throughout their journey.

This is essential for the system to correctly calculate fares and apply daily and weekly caps, ensuring customers never pay more than they should.

More than 53,000 journeys were taken on Merseyrail using the MetroCard tap and go system in August 2025 – the first month it launched.