RAIL union RMT slammed Merseyrail today for imposing a 18.9 per cent fare increase during the upcoming Grand National festival in Aintree.

Merseyrail is telling staff to sell £6 “event tickets” instead of the usual £5.05 fare for those passengers travelling from Liverpool Central or Moorfields to the races, unless they specifically ask for a different ticket, the union says.

RMT notes this goes against the fact staff are mandated to offer passengers the most economical ticket options available.

Merseyrail, jointly owned by Serco Group and Transport UK, recently reported record pre-tax profits of £43.9 million — allowing for a £42m pay out to shareholders.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “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.”

Greg Suligowski of Merseyrail said: “The Aintree event ticket offers customers unlimited travel to all locations on the Merseyrail network. In comparison this is 6 per cent (or 40 pence) cheaper than a Day Saver ticket which offers the same.”

“The price of the ticket, which is unchanged from 2024, contributes to the cost of running our Grand National service, including the seven-and-a-half-minute train service and additional staff that are needed to ensure everyone travelling to and from Aintree have the best experience possible.”

"Customers are still able to buy Merseyrail’s full range of tickets at staffed ticket offices & through ticket vending machines if they wish."