Weekly, Monthly and Annual Railpass season tickets are available from all staffed Merseyrail stations.
Railpass tickets are now issued on a MetroCard. Using contactless validation technology you can then tap your MetroCard to go through the station ticket gates.
Once you have a MetroCard you can also purchase your Merseyrail Only Railpass online at www.metrosmart.uk. Once purchased online simply tap your MetroCard on to a platform validator or station gate before you travel to collect your new Railpass.
There is a one off £1 activation charge when you buy a new MetroCard.
Click here for more information on Railpass.
More information can be found on the MetroCard section of Merseytravel’s website, including some FAQs by clicking here.
We have also provided some FAQs below:
As part of our move to smart ticketing and to support Merseytravel’s MetroCard scheme, we have upgraded our retail system to retail smart tickets. Other tickets will still be available on paper as normal, but eventually these will be phased out. This also supports the Department for Transport’s objective to phase in smart ticketing so that every passenger across the UK has the opportunity to travel without a paper ticket.
Merseyrail are just starting to establish their smart ticketing scheme and these initial enhancements will lay the foundations for the introduction of more flexible ticketing which will enhance customer information and customer journeys, connecting routes throughout the UK network.
No, photo ID is not required.
There is a £1 activation charge when you buy a new card, to cover the current card production and distribution costs. Cards are reusable and customers are encouraged to keep their cards as the activation fee is only payable once.
Please keep hold of the receipt as this will be printed with both the MetroCard expiry date and the product expiry date. Also, Merseyrail staff at stations will be happy to read your card electronically for you.
We are unable to directly swap a paper ticket with a smart ticket at present. We are working closely with our suppliers to rectify this and will keep customers updated when the facility is available.
However, normal refund processes will apply (see question 8) for your current paper ticket. A smart version can then be purchased at full cost as normal if you choose to do so.
Saveaway has also migrated to smart and is available to be loaded onto a MetroCard. All cards are reusable and can be loaded with multiple products – please remember to keep yours for both Saveaway and Railpass products.
Our ticket inspectors will carry mobile devices that can read smart cards, and will be able to see the product you have bought, area of validity and the valid date. If there are any problems reading the card, you will need your receipt as proof. This will show your product details and can be used as a visual check if needed.
Yes, just like the paper version, Railpass monthly and annual can be refunded at any staffed station. The refund is calculated from the date that the Railpass ticket was handed in and will be the difference between the price you paid and the cost of a ticket, or tickets, for the period for which you have actually used the ticket. A £10 administration charge will also apply.
Each card has a unique number, the ‘card ID’ printed on the front and this is printed on the receipt. Only a receipt with a matching card can be accepted.
We may offer a replacement paper ticket if you have a receipt and have not claimed for a lost or stolen ticket before. You will need proof of your name and address. This may take up to 5 days to process.