Merseyrail service patterns

[Darren R]

The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway ran an extensive and complex service of fast and semi-fast trains in addition to the 15-minute frequency all-stations between Liverpool and Southport for many years. Of course then it was still four tracks from Seaforth & Litherland southwards, and services ran into a multi-platformed terminus. Although I agree a regular semi-fast would be nice, I'm not sure that it is possible anymore.

 

[Statto]

I was told by an ex-Merseyrail employee that at one time Merseyrail did run at 20 minute intervals and were not well patronised , when Mark Dowd joined Merseytravel, ( an ex train driver ) he said make them every 15 minutes and you will start to fill the trains, those 5 minutes will make all the difference. He was proved right, although whether this was down to the extra service per hour or would it have happened anyway. I agree with others that to revert to every 20 minutes will have an adverse effect on pax numbers.

I have a few timetables from that era, & off peak Merseyrail ran every 20 minutes, only Rock Ferry-Liverpool & Liverpool-Southport service was every 15 minutes, however on the Northern Line Sunday service was every 45 minutes all branches, on the Loop trains operated every 2 minutes in the peaks.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I have a few timetables from that era, & off peak Merseyrail ran every 20 minutes, only Rock Ferry-Liverpool & Liverpool-Southport service was every 15 minutes, however on the Northern Line Sunday service was every 45 minutes all branches, on the Loop trains operated every 2 minutes in the peaks.

I do *just about* remember every 20 on the Ormskirk line, but every 45 on a Sunday is weird - arguably less useful than a more memorable hourly.

 

[childwallblues]

I wouldn't be surprised though to see all future Southport line services turn back at Liverpool South Parkway with the Hunts Cross section left to the Manchester trains. It has been mooted and with 10min turn around at LSP would definitely improve punctuality on the Southport line.

Hunts Cross currently has five trains per hour, one Northern service
from Manchester Oxford Road to Liverpool Lime Street and two/four Merseyrail services to Southport.
I don't think that Hunts Cross passengers would agree with your suggestion. The Merseyrail services are well used and many passengers use the service beyond Liverpool Central to Moorfields for the business district and the two Bootle Stations.

 

[Camden]

Were the Northern line to run to Liverpool South Parkway (or indeed perhaps to the Liverpool Airport...) the number of other trains stopping at Hunts Cross could be increased. Due to the Merseyrail line crossing the main line railway, the ability to run more intensive commuter services along the main line is limited at present.

And raising the frequency and quality of services running along this line does appear in the Merseytravel strategy. A win win perhaps?

 

[fowler9]

Hunts Cross currently has five trains per hour, one Northern service
from Manchester Oxford Road to Liverpool Lime Street and two/four Merseyrail services to Southport.
I don't think that Hunts Cross passengers would agree with your suggestion. The Merseyrail services are well used and many passengers use the service beyond Liverpool Central to Moorfields for the business district and the two Bootle Stations.

Hunts Cross has six trains per hour for the entire working day and beyond through the week, there are 2 Northern Rail services. As for Chester and Southport, the journey time is competitive with the road journey time. No need to fix it if it isn't broken. I don't think loads more people would use the service because it was a few minutes faster because that is all it would be, especially in the peak. Those fast trains would get stuck behind the slows just like they do on the CLC route I use. The slow runs late, the fast catches up. At least with the CLC services I use they can put the slows on the slow line between South Parkway and Wavertree and let the fasts go past. They are also heading to Lime Street and not Central or the Loop.

 

[childwallblues]

Hunts Cross has six trains per hour for the entire working day and beyond through the week, there are 2 Northern Rail services. As for Chester and Southport, the journey time is competitive with the road journey time. No need to fix it if it isn't broken. I don't think loads more people would use the service because it was a few minutes faster because that is all it would be, especially in the peak. Those fast trains would get stuck behind the slows just like they do on the CLC route I use. The slow runs late, the fast catches up. At least with the CLC services I use they can put the slows on the slow line between South Parkway and Wavertree and let the fasts go past. They are also heading to Lime Street and not Central or the Loop.

There is certainly additional trains stopping at HNX in peak hour but off peak Northern have one train per hour each way at xx31 to Lime Street and xx13 to Oxford Road.

 

[fowler9]

There is certainly additional trains stopping at HNX in peak hour but off peak Northern have one train per hour each way at xx31 to Lime Street and xx13 to Oxford Road.

I apologise mate, I honestly had no idea that some of those slows to Manchester skipped Hunts Cross! Seems bizarre to me, Hunts Cross does have pretty good connections to the city centre though I suppose. Ha ha. All the best.

 

[childwallblues]

I apologise mate, I honestly had no idea that some of those slows to Manchester skipped Hunts Cross! Seems bizarre to me, Hunts Cross does have pretty good connections to the city centre though I suppose. Ha ha. All the best.

No problem. The change occurred some years ago when Liverpool South Parkway opened. They moved the stop from Hunts Cross about that time.

 

[causton]

You can't compare a Desiro to a 507/508.

Agreed. Last time I went on Merseyrail the station stop was complete quicker than the time it takes the guard to release the doors on a Desiro! 350s anyway

 

[fowler9]

No problem. The change occurred some years ago when Liverpool South Parkway opened. They moved the stop from Hunts Cross about that time.

Just feel daft since I live on the route and use it daily. Probably why I made the mistake, it is so normal to me I pay no attention (Just as well I'm not a driver, ha ha).