Merseyside 'City Line' stations should be transferred to Merseyrail

[emoaconr]

Moderator note: split from

Broad Green Station, Liverpool Refurbishment

Work has started at Broad Green Station on the Liverpool to Manchester/Wigan line. It appears that they are installing lifts. As a result the subway is closed and passengers arriving from Liverpool have to leave by the entrance on Platform 2 and walk down to Thomas Lane, using the footpath...

www.railforums.co.uk

Just demonstrates the lack of urgency for projects of a specific local importance by a regional TOC. The state of Northern's stations in Greater Manchester quite literally demonstrate how neglected the City Line stations could have become without local PTE sponsorship (TfGM's priorities - until recently - lay in Metrolink over local rail).

LCRCA really needs to be afforded the power to transfer the management of City Line stations within LCRCA boundary to Merseyrail - despite who runs the service. As seen with the planned station destaffing under the previous Government, Northern have shown absolutely no commitment to doing anything autonomously. The relative cleanliness and maintenance of City Line stations is certainly not attributed to Northern - and the consistency in design between Northern-operated and Merseyrail-operated stations is certainly something seldom replicated elsewhere.

 

[jamesst]

Just demonstrates the lack of urgency for projects of a specific local importance by a regional TOC. The state of Northern's stations in Greater Manchester quite literally demonstrate how neglected the City Line stations could have become without local PTE sponsorship (TfGM's priorities - until recently - lay in Metrolink over local rail).

LCRCA really needs to be afforded the power to transfer the management of City Line stations within LCRCA boundary to Merseyrail - despite who runs the service. As seen with the planned station destaffing under the previous Government, Northern have shown absolutely no commitment to doing anything autonomously. The relative cleanliness and maintenance of City Line stations is certainly not attributed to Northern - and the consistency in design between Northern-operated and Merseyrail-operated stations is certainly something seldom replicated elsewhere.

I believe there have actually been talks regarding transferring the local stations and routes to Merseyrail, yet to hear anything more though

 

[Djgr]

I believe there have actually been talks regarding transferring the local stations and routes to Merseyrail, yet to hear anything more though

It should not be forgotten that when the whole Merseyrail concept was being developed in the 1970s there was never any intention that this would or should be limited to third rail operations.

Unfortunately the fragmentation caused by Maggie, Major and their crones has led to today's situation.

 

[Zomboid]

I would say that unless they can offer a proper metro service on the (at least 4tph) they'd be better off not being branded as such.

 

[Djgr]

I would say that unless they can offer a proper metro service on the (at least 4tph) they'd be better off not being branded as such.

Based on what logic? The current Merseyrail standard service from Liverpool to Ellesmere Port is 2 trains per hour.

 

[stevieinselby]

Based on what logic? The current Merseyrail standard service from Liverpool to Ellesmere Port is 2 trains per hour.

And in that it is unique across the Merseyrail network – every other branch runs 4tph, and it wouldn't make sense for the 2tph to Ellesmere Port to be considered as a separate entity from the 4tph Chester when they share most of the route.

The City Line is a different prospect. It doesn't have any overlap with any other Merseyrail services so there is no synergy in running it under the same umbrella, it doesn't operate on a closed network, it uses different trains, and it doesn't even come close to meeting the minimum 4tph to (almost) all stations.

 

[Djgr]

And in that it is unique across the Merseyrail network – every other branch runs 4tph, and it wouldn't make sense for the 2tph to Ellesmere Port to be considered as a separate entity from the 4tph Chester when they share most of the route.

The City Line is a different prospect. It doesn't have any overlap with any other Merseyrail services so there is no synergy in running it under the same umbrella, it doesn't operate on a closed network, it uses different trains, and it doesn't even come close to meeting the minimum 4tph to (almost) all stations.

To be honest I think the main motivation is just to get Northern out of our (communal) hair.

Perhaps something joint between TfGM and TfLCR would be the way forward?

 

[emoaconr]

I would say that unless they can offer a proper metro service on the (at least 4tph) they'd be better off not being branded as such.

Whether that be the case or not, they have been branded as Merseyrail City Line since the 1970s, these days complete with yellow and black signage, Merseyrail station furniture and fully-staffed ticket offices.

Merseytravel continues to take responsibility of the City Line stations in reality - it's only recently that West Allerton has had a refresh, plus the recent rebuild of both Newton-le-Willows and Lea Green. City Line is fully integrated into the Merseytravel products and even has a PTE timetable booklet. To locals they are much as part of the same network as the Northern or Wirral lines - only the colour of the trains differs.

Whilst I'd like the local services to transfer to Merseyrail, in truth it's the management, station branding and integration into local ticket products that counts more. I think it would be perfectly practical for Merseyrail to operate the stations, despite services by Northern et al - perhaps something worth considering come the new Merseyrail concession period in 2028 (which could well come back in-house)

 

[BerkshireRails]

This makes logical sense however they might require a different fleet to the 555s for the City Line due to it having a higher line speed than the rest of the network which might cause issues for 75mph class 555s units with Merseyrail to keep the most efficient timings.

 

[tfw756rider]

This makes logical sense however they might require a different fleet to the 555s for the City Line due to it having a higher line speed than the rest of the network which might cause issues for 75mph class 555s units with Merseyrail to keep the most efficient timings.

You mean 777s, right?

 

[BerkshireRails]

You mean 777s, right?

I have it that the 555s are Merseyrail and the 777s are Tyne & Wear. However, if it is the wrong way around, I do mean 777s for Merseryrail.

 

[Tramfan]

It is indeed the other way around

 

[Tetchytyke]

Northern's position has always been, even back in RRNE and RRNW days, that they will do something if you pay them to do it.

Merseytravel have always been good at paying for stuff. They want staffed stations so they pay Northern to staff them. They want stations in their corporate colours so they pay Northern to paint them in those colours. I don't think Merseytravel directly managing the stations would make any difference- they can already pay Northern to do anything they want them to do.

Operation of the trains is where the difference would come. Right now there's only one train every two hours on the City Line to St Helens and Wigan on Sundays because of Northern's incompetence. But Merseytravel can't easily go it alone on this because the City Line is not entirely within the Liverpool City Region. That's always been the issue, even way back when they paid for "their" 142s to be refurbished and painted in Merseyrail corporat colours the actual units ended up all over the shop.