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Work due to start on refresh
of the Mersey Tunnels Toll System
MERSEY Tunnel users are set to benefit
from an improved travelling experience as work gets underway on a refresh of the
toll system in both tunnels over September 2017. Improvements that will be
introduced through the refresh, some of which are the result of feedback
received from tunnel users, include:-
► New toll machines on both the Birkenhead and
Wallasey Tunnel toll plazas.
► The machines will include an improved positioning of
both the coin basket and the "reject coin" slot (making it easier
to collect coins not accepted)
► Improved coin analysers, ensuring the cash
transaction is quicker for customers.
► A change to the process of the "staffed"
lanes, where payment will be taken by the attendant rather than the cash
being handed back to them to make payment at the machine; again speeding up the
transaction for the customer.
► The introduction of contactless card payment into
every lane, to be in operation from early 2018.
► Digital displays to indicate information about your
transaction in live time as well as the status of Fast Tag account balances.
► A new, improved website for Mersey Tunnels and the
Fast Tag system. A decision was taken to "refresh" the current
system rather than wholly replace it, so as to minimise the disruption to the
public and also allow long term planning for any major changes in the future.
► Some preparation work has already taken place for
the refresh, with 2 test lanes installed into the Birkenhead Tunnel back in
July, along with work to update the systems, behind the scenes.
► The ₤3.1m scheme will see the current toll machines
(which were 1st installed in 2001) replaced on a lane by lane basis, from late
September to January, to minimise disruption for tunnel users, although
customers are being advised that there may be some congestion during peak
periods while the work takes place.
► Once that work in all toll lanes is completed, work
will begin to install the contactless card payment equipment into each lane
early in 2018.
► The new
Mersey Tunnels website, incorporated into the main Merseytravel website with a
user friendly interface including a mobile site, is also due to launch in
December 2017.
Gary Evans, Merseytravel's Head of Customer
Delivery said:- "The work that is being undertaken over the next few
months should make tunnel users' journeys quicker and easier. The current system
is reaching the end of its life and it is essential that it is not only brought
up to date, but also improved. A lot of hard work and planning has gone into
making sure this refresh doesn't just keep the Mersey Tunnels running as they
were, but helps to speed up journeys as much as possible and takes account of
customer feedback to date. The possibility of card payments is something that
we've received a lot of customer feedback about over the last few years and
we're really pleased that we are able to introduce this as part of the refresh.
While we're working to speed up cash transactions, tunnel users are reminded
that Fast Tags already offer speed and convenience, and at a reduced toll."
Members of the Liverpool City Region Transport Committee will be getting an
update on the tunnel toll refresh at next week's meeting, on Thursday, 7
September 2017.
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