Merseyrail will be increasing its services across most lines from Sunday 14 March. This is in response to more staff being available as the number of new COVID-19 cases continue to fall nationally.

Trains will run every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday until 19:30 across the network with the exception of the Ellesmere Port line which will continue to operate a 30-minute service all day.

After 19:30 a 30-minute service will run across the network. There will also be a 30-minute service in operation on Sundays.

The operator is continuing to remind passengers that they must follow government-issued advice and only travel for work if essential or for other legally permitted reasons.

Those who do need to travel are encouraged to adhere to the following guidance when travelling:

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.

Full timetable information and COVID-19 travel advice can be found here: www.merseyrail.org/COVIDAdvice. Further information on government guidance and restrictions can be found at www.gov.uk.

Merseyrail will continue to monitor patronage levels, capacity and staff availability as restrictions ease to help the network meet demand. Passengers are still encouraged to check before they travel. This can be done by visiting the website

www.merseyrail.org or the Merseyrail Twitter account @merseyrail for the latest information.
Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail, said: “As schools prepare to reopen across the region, we are pleased to be able to increase services on our network again due to an improvement in staff availability.

“While this will be welcome news to the people of the Liverpool City Region, I must reiterate government advice that public transport is for essential journeys only at this moment in time.

“For those who need to travel, please be assured that our safety measures - such as increased cleaning - will continue as a priority to keep passengers and staff as safe as possible.”