Littlepay Powers Merseyrail’s New Open-Loop System

Contactless EMV payments are increasingly being adopted across public transport networks as operators look to simplify ticketing and improve passenger convenience. By allowing travellers to use their contactless bank cards or mobile wallets directly at the gate, open-loop systems can reduce reliance on proprietary ticketing infrastructure while supporting more flexible fare structures.

A recent example is the rollout of contactless “tap and go” payments across the Merseyrail network in the UK. The system enables passengers to tap in and out using contactless cards or smart devices, with fares calculated automatically and daily caps applied where relevant.

In this article, Littlepay outlines how this open-loop deployment was implemented and what it may indicate about the continued adoption of contactless payments across rail networks.