RMT condemns Merseyrail's 18.9% fare hike during Grand National Festival

Merseyrail, jointly owned by Serco Group and Transport UK, recently reported record pre-tax profits of £43.9 million. This surge in profits allowed for a substantial dividend payout of just over £42 million to shareholders.

Despite this financial prosperity, Merseyrail is telling staff to sell £6 "event tickets" instead of the usual £5.05 ticket for those passengers travelling from Liverpool Central or Moorfields to the races, unless they specifically ask for a different ticket.

This goes against the fact staff are mandated to offer passengers the most economical ticket options available for their intended journeys.

RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "Merseyrail's decision to hike fares by nearly 19% during the Grand National Festival is blatant profiteering and punishing passengers for going to enjoy a major national event.

"At a time when Merseyrail are reaping record profits and distributing millions to shareholders, it is totally unjustifiable to impose additional financial burdens on passengers.

"This exploitation of festival-goers underscores the need for Merseyrail to be taken into public ownership as soon as possible."

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