Apple Pay has been operational throughout Merseyrail’s staffed ticket offices since the payment service launched in the UK on 14 July 2015.
However, neither Apple nor Merseyrail notified commuters to the technology’s availability at its manned kiosks. Instead, Apple Pay users Tweeted about their device’s compatibility with Merseyrail’s contactless card terminals.
Go deeper with GlobalData
One Twitter user, @Dannybs09, posted this comment on the social network: @AskNationwide Any idea why apple says Apple pay is not supported on Merseyrail trains in Liverpool but I was still able to use it?
Nationwide replied that it was unaware of the situation but pleased nonetheless: @dannybs09 Great to hear you could still use it at the train station. We’ll pass this on to our tech team as feedback. Rach
This is similar to other retail outlets, which accept contactless and therefore Apple Pay, but either did not inform their clientele, or perhaps did not know.
There are presently six banks supporting Apple Pay’s UK payments: American Express, Nationwide, Ulster Bank, RBS, Santander and NatWest. However, only owners of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6Plus, iPad 2 and iPad mini 3, as well as iPhone 5 models when used in tandem with Apple Watch, are able to carry out Apple Pay transactions.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataA spokesperson for Merseyrail said: "Apple Pay has been available at staffed Merseyrail stations since Apple Pay launched in the UK last week."
The spokesperson confirmed that Apple Pay’s service was operational at staffed ticket offices due to existing contactless card terminals. However, it remains unclear whether Merseyrail operators had been in communication with the tech-giant prior to Apple Pay’s UK launch.
Contactless payment terminals were introduced to manned Merseyrail stations in November 2013.
Public transport has been a very strong catalyst for contactless payments in the UK and throughout Europe, with more than 100million journeys paid for on London’s transport system this way.
The current £20 expenditure limit for all contactless transactions in the UK will be increased to £30 in September 2015.
Merseyrail operates two electrified lines, Northern Line and Wirral Line. It runs approximately 800 trains per day and carries more than 100,000 passengers, according to the rail operator’s own figures.
