Merseyrail services will run every 45-minutes on Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th, Friday 6th & Saturday 7th January  due to strike action by RMT members of Network Rail.

Although Merseyrail staff are not part of this industrial action, it will involve Network Rail staff who operate the signalling systems and provide maintenance support.

A 45-minute service, calling at all stations on selected lines, will run between 07:30 and 18:30 on Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th, Friday 6th & Saturday 7th January  to help passengers make essential journeys.  

As is normally the case during industrial action, there will be no rail replacement buses in operation. Those needing to travel outside the hours of service are advised to make alternative travel arrangements.

However, on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th January, rail replacement buses will run on the Kirkby line between Kirkby and Moorfields, due to planned engineering works relating to the opening of Headbolt Lane station in 2023.

A summary of services that will run on Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th, Friday 6th & Saturday 7th January is as follows. 

Southport line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.  

Chester and Ellesmere Port lines: No trains will operate between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry. Trains will run every 45 minutes between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, calling at all stations. 

New Brighton line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.  

West Kirby line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.  

Hunts Cross line: No trains will operate between Liverpool Central and Hunts Cross. 

Ormskirk line: On Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 January, trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations. However, on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 January, two trains will run per 45 minutes, calling at all stations to support the increased number of passengers expected to travel on the line as a result of the Kirkby line being closed for engineering work.

Kirkby line: On Tuesday 3 January and Wednesday 4 January trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations. On Friday 6 January and Saturday 7 January no service will run on the Kirkby line due to planned engineering work as part of the construction of the new Headbolt Lane station. Rail replacement buses will run every 30 minutes between 0700 and 1830 to Moorfields station. Timetables will be available on the Merseyrail website a few days in advance.

On Thursday 5th January, train services will begin at approximately 07:00 in the morning. A limited rail replacement bus service will be in operation from the busiest stations prior to 07.00. Passengers are advised to visit the Merseyrail website for full details or speak to a member of station staff.

To help customers get into the city centre, rail replacement buses will run as follows:

• Southport 05:45 calling at Formby 06:15, Waterloo 03:35 and Moorfields 06:55
• West Kirby 06:00 calling at Birkenhead North 06:20 and Moorfields 06:50
• Formby 06:00 calling at Waterloo 06:20 and Moorfields 06:40
• Ormskirk 06:00 calling at Maghull 06:20 and Moorfields 06:50
• Kirkby 06:00 calling at Fazakerley 06:10 and Moorfields 06:40
• New Brighton 05:45 calling at Birkenhead North 06:05 and Moorfields 06:35
• Moorfields 06:35 calling at Hamilton Square and Birkenhead North 07:00
• Chester & Ellesmere Port 06:00 calling at Bache 06:10 and Moorfields 06:50
• Hooton 06:00 calling at Rock Ferry 06:30 ad Moorfields 07:00

On Sunday 8th January a normal timetable will operate apart from Hunts Cross and Kirkby lines due to planned engineering works.

If you have assisted travel bookings or require assisted travel between strike days please contact Merseyrail here, or use the National Passenger Assist App.

Ticket Information

Passengers with advanced tickets for the strikes dates can use their ticket up to and including Tuesday 10 January.

You can find out more here.