Merseyrail introduces account-based ticketing

Merseyrail, which serves the Liverpool City Region and adjacent areas, is introducing contactless Eurocard, Mastercard and Visa (EMV) payments as part of a new account-based ticketing (ABT) platform.

Littlepay has been selected as the payment service provider for the project, marking its first deployment in UK rail and a milestone in the expansion of open-loop payments across the national rail network.

Flexible and transparent payment experience

Delivered in partnership with UK-based ABT specialist Tracsis (formerly iBlocks), the project introduces a more flexible, transparent, and passenger-focused payment experience to one of the country’s busiest regional rail networks.

Merseyrail supports around 36 million passenger journeys annually across 68 stations, including eight gated stations. As part of the network’s transition to modern fare collection, the project includes the installation of 183 new Vix platform validators and upgrades to station gates.

“As UK rail moves toward more locally controlled and integrated mobility models, having a scalable, interoperable payments layer becomes critical. We’re proud to support that transition”

This deployment represents Littlepay’s first use on UK heavy rail infrastructure. It also marks the first collaboration between Littlepay and Tracsis, combining proven, scalable payment processing with a mature ABT engine designed for multimodal transport environments.

“We’re incredibly proud to bring our technology to UK rail. This project with Merseyrail and Tracsis marks a pivotal step forward for the UK’s rail modernisation, proving that scalable open-loop payments can work seamlessly in a heavy rail environment,” said Littlepay business development manager, Sarah McLaughlin. “It’s an exciting milestone for both Littlepay and the UK passenger experience.”