Merseyrail beefs up for second Everton test event
Extra services and longer trains will be in place for the upcoming test at the club’s new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, as city leaders look to overcome early niggles.
Public transport partners, including Merseyrail, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police, and Everton FC, are working together to ensure smooth and efficient travel for those attending.
Climbing from 10,000 for the initial event in February, which attracted some criticism, there will be 25,000 fans in attendance at the event on Sunday 23 March. A third event will be held at the 52,000-capacity stadium before the club moves in from August.
Merseyrail will be operating a special matchday timetable with additional train services before and after the 2pm kick-off. Eight-car trains will be in operation as part of the special timetable, to help accommodate the higher number of customers expected to travel.
The travel body said that customers are also reminded to allow more time for their journey, as services may take longer than usual, and queueing is likely.
Dialogue is ongoing between the various organisations and supporter groups over accessing the stadium. Plans are afoot to increase Sandhills station’s ability to cope with large crowds, while a fan waiting zone has been implemented.
A separate issue has seen controversy over parking zone limitations, as the council and its partners prepare the ground ahead of Everton’s relocation.
Sticking plaster for a much bigger problem, which will cause problems elsewhere on the metro
By John
Direct access from the south western side of the platforms and through the adjacent industrial estate to Derby Road would help. It would also cut the distance to the stadium by a few minutes.
By Paul Blackburne
The wider announcement talked about trains ‘every 15 minutes’, which is wholly inadequate. A minimum of 8 carriage units every 3 or 4 minutes is going to be needed for the sheer volume of people wanting to use Merseyrail on match days. They’ve had five years to consider all this. Utterly woeful.
By Saint Domingo
Went to the liverpool , southampton game the other week had to get the train as I’ve lost my parking space due to the new parking restrictions by sandhills station. I got the 13 . 37 train from seaforth, a 3 car train turned up rammed like something on the London underground at rush hour, surely at least a six car train (s) should be in operation from 12.30 till 14,15 and then back on from 17.00 till 19.00,
The amount of people on the train standing g up was dangerouse a d definately an accident waiting to happen, this needs serious action before it’s too late, lift the parking restrictions in the side roads in the industrial areas on all match days and event days , …..
By Anonymous
Trams would solve a lot of problems facing transport in the city. I don’t know why LCC dismiss this. We’re told by Steve Rotheram that they are not viable? How? This is a perfect example of Liverpool needing trams along its waterfront. Blackpool has just upgraded their new tram system but Liverpool is not viable? 🤷🏽♂️
By Anonymous
They should have put a ferry stop point on the riverside. I said so at the consultation but the girl there explained it could t be done e as the water levels were tidal….they are indeed at each and every other ferry stop!
By Martin Dale