At the heart of the system is Tracsis smartTIS , an advanced account-based ticketing (ABT) engine that enables Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) functionality. By analysing tap-in and tap-out data in real time, smartTIS applies daily and weekly fare capping automatically, ensuring passengers always pay the lowest possible price.
The launch forms part of the Liverpool City Region’s ambition to create a fully integrated, contactless transport network. Future phases will extend the system to contactless bank cards and mobile devices, making travel even more seamless while encouraging people to choose public transport over private cars. This supports the region’s wider objectives around air quality and achieving net-zero carbon by 2035.
What is smartTIS?
smartTIS is the UK’s only Rail Delivery Group (RDG)-accredited PAYG smart ticketing solution. Already live across 20% of UK rail stations and supporting millions of journeys, it combines compliance with scalability to meet the needs of different operators.
Key features include:
Automatic best-value fares through daily and weekly capping
Multi-modal integration, enabling seamless travel across rail, bus, and other modes
Secure, compliant revenue collection, with RDG-approved settlement and fraud prevention
Comprehensive analytics that provide operators with insights into passenger behaviour and network demand
Future-ready flexibility, supporting ITSO cards, contactless EMV, and mobile devices
By uniting revenue management, fare calculation, and customer simplicity in one platform, smartTIS gives operators a proven pathway to modernise ticketing and improve passenger experience.
Benefits for Merseyrail
For passengers, Tap & Go removes queues at ticket machines, reduces the need for paper tickets, and takes the uncertainty out of buying fares. Instead, they simply tap in and out with their MetroCard, and smartTIS calculates the lowest price behind the scenes.
For Merseyrail, the system represents a major step toward a more modern, efficient, and attractive railway, one that enhances the passenger experience while supporting ridership growth and easing road congestion across the city region.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
"Our region deserves a transport system that is simple, affordable, and fit for the future. As someone who regularly uses the train myself, I know how much of a difference ‘Tap & Go’ will make for passengers. No more queuing, no paper tickets, and no worrying about whether you've bought the right fare. This is about making travel easier for everyone and helping build the fully integrated transport network our residents deserve."
Industry Impact and Growth
The success of Tap & Go demonstrates the role smart ticketing can play in transforming public transport. For operators, systems like smartTIS not only improve customer satisfaction but also provide valuable insights for planning and service optimisation.
Simon Critchley, Managing Director of Tracsis, said:
"Tap & Go on Merseyrail shows how smartTIS helps operators deliver smarter, simpler, fairer travel. Our technology ensures passengers always pay the lowest fare automatically, and we’re proud to support the Liverpool City Region in building an integrated, contactless transport network. We look forward to helping more operators across the UK adopt similar solutions to grow passenger numbers and transform the travel experience."
Next Steps
As passenger expectations shift toward frictionless, digital-first travel, solutions like smartTIS are becoming essential for operators looking to stay competitive and future-ready.