Merseyrail

Merseyrail is a train -like railway network, the Liverpool with Birkenhead and other suburbs connects. It originated in the 1970s, were electrified as several existing suburban railways and connected together with two newly built tunnels under the center of Liverpool. The system uses power rails, which are supplied with 750 V DC.

Merseyrail consists of two branching lines with a total length of 120 km and 67 stations. The "Northern Line" runs parallel to the Mersey in north-south direction and connects Liverpool with Kirkby, Ormskirk and Southport. The " Wirral Line" connects the Lime Street railway station in the city center of Liverpool with Birkenhead, New Brighton, West Kirby, Chester and Ellesmere Port. On weekdays the compounds in 15 -minute intervals are operated, evenings and weekends at 30- minute intervals. Monday to Friday, every day around 100,000 passengers use the Merseyrail network.

Operator

The operation has been awarded since the privatization of the State Railway British Rail in third party companies. Until 2005 the award by the Strategic Rail Authority, since by the regional transport authority " Merseytravel " ( Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive). From 1997 to 1999 served Merseyside Transport Ltd from the group MTL Holdings as the operator, then took over Arriva Trains Merseyside benefits.

2002 Merseytravel wrote the operation of the services again from Europe. Successful bidder was with Merseyrail Electrics Ltd., a joint subsidiary of the company Serco and Abellio (again, a subsidiary of Nederlandse Spoorwegen ), which took over the Merseyrail services July 20, 2003. The completed traffic contract has a term of 25 years.

Ownership and operation of the network is in the hands of Network Rail ( Railtrack successor since 2002 ). 2005 Merseytravel has a transmission of the network asked the British government, however, this is rejected by Network Rail.