SELF-SERVICE kiosks have been installed at all Mersey Ferry terminals as part of plans to make the city region's public transport cheaper and simpler to use.

Passengers can now buy tickets for Ferry services, as well as combined tickets that include The Beatles Story museum and bus sightseeing tours from kiosks in Seacombe and Pier Head Terminals.

A new Flexi Ticket, available for use during peak commuting times, has also been introduced allowing passengers to buy six or ten crossings in advance – with no time commitment for their use – along with regular monthly and quarterly options.

The Flexi Ticket improves on the standard single or return and makes the ferries the cheapest one-way option to cross the river during peak hours.

The machines are part of a wider £13m investment into revolutionising public transport ticketing across the Liverpool City Region, reinforcing Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram’s commitment to provide a London-style transport system making journeys smoother, quicker and more affordable.

The plans include introduction of a new contactless tap-and-go system that will operate on trains in 2025 and will automatically give passengers the best price for their journey.

Councillor Liam Robinson, Portfolio Holder of Transport for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said: "The first phase of the new smart ticketing roll out at Mersey Ferries has gone exceptionally well with passengers quick to uptake and embrace the new service.

"It brings encouraging news for next phase due to arrive on the trains later this year.

"With improved services across the network and simpler, clearer ticket pricing that ensures people always pay the lowest fare possible, moving around the City Region has never been simpler on public transport, making it the preferred option for many."

More than £7,500 worth of tickets have been purchased using the kiosks since their introduction at Seacombe and Pier Head Terminals.

Mersey Ferries self-service ticket kiosks have been installed to create an alternative option for customers who know which tickets they would like to buy.

Customer Service Officers will continue to be visible and available within the terminal buildings to support passengers who need additional information before booking, or who may have concessions.