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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many people were dissatisfied with the service, frequently reporting late or cancelled trains, and issues with ticket purchasing, including malfunctioning machines or kiosks unstaffed. Customers also expressed frustration with the pricing, often feeling it was a "money-grabbing" scheme, and the location of stops, particularly when trains couldn't reach their final destination. The payment system was also a significant point of contention, with many receiving fines for minor infractions or for tickets they believed were valid. Some people were dissatisfied with the staff, describing them as rude, intimidating, and unhelpful, especially ticket inspectors who were perceived as overly aggressive and quick to issue fines. However, some customers also noted positive interactions with staff members who were helpful and provided excellent assistance, particularly for those with disabilities or in difficult situations.

What people talk about most

Service

Customers consistently express strong dissatisfaction with the service. Many report significant delays,... See more

Staff

Users describe ambiguous interactions with staff. While some customers praise staff members like Callum for... See more

Price

Clients share negative opinions on price, often feeling that the company prioritizes profit over service.... See more

Payment

People report negative experiences with payment, often involving fines and unexpected charges. Customers... See more

Location

Customers consistently express frustration with location-related issues. Reviewers report being dropped off... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Fined for being sold a incorrect ticket !!! From email threats to lack of empathy, on the day of the fine and beyond!! This company is the most horrible nasty arrogant rude an unprofes... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Your Revenue Inspectors are vile. Majority of them are grown, middle aged intimidating men. Hats off to them, they don't discriminate, whether you're a young girl, old man or teenager they will treat... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

What's the excuse today!? Merseyrail are now so bad they can't be relied upon. Perhaps if they invested more money into the service instead of paying out large wads of cash to their share holders, we... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Penalty Services employees, used by Merseyrail - Create a mountain from a mole hill Understanding logic doesn't exist No customer service at all Try to maximise fines for nothing Serve fin... See more


1.5

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

287 reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible

Terrible. Used train four times in last week - one cancelled, two passed straight through, one terminated beyond destination. No notice of any of it when buying tickets. Thankfully don't need to use the train often.

March 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I was waiting for the train to new…

I was waiting for the train to new Brighton from central station, the train was due at 22.20, I am a lone female aged 63, the platform was busy with a few rowdy male customers waiting for the train . Callum was the metseyrail employee on the platform, he was keeping an eye on the rowdy male customers and at the same time asked me if I was ok. I replied I was, and I really appreciated his concern for my welfare. 10 out of 10 for Callum a lovely young man. .

February 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely disgusting..

Absolutely disgusting..
They jump on the smallest issue just to squeeze more money out of people.

Feels less like public transport and more like a cash grab targeting anyone they can.

I lost my tickets and was told to either pay a fine or get off the train!!!

They made me get off at estham rake station in the middle of nowhere on a freezing Sunday night, with no buses running. Zero common sense. Zero compassion.

I won’t be using this company again.
Pathetic.

Soon I’m making a vlog about this so everyone can see what British transport is really like. People deserve to know how they treat passengers.

February 15, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Went from Brom rake to bromborough on…

Went from Brom rake to bromborough on behalf of funeral wake of a loved one so didn't feel like I paying was necessary given the extent and how trivial it was. (50 second train journey.. ON and OFF easily....)

Got caught....

Insulted for giving false information as the intimidating, patronising man gave no introduction and wanted to fine me anyways, so of course you say a fake name to start.

Threatning the police and not giving a damn of the urgency of situation proceeded to issue a statement and such and gave the anecdote "you wouldnt steal 1 loaf of bread from store so why would you bunk 1 stop"..

If the "loaves of bread" are street facing with no authority 99% of the time ofc you'd take the chance stupid muppets.

Also had the audacity to lecture me on how train fares work on the day of a loved one's passing death.

I understand we need to do our jobs but these instances are disgusting and trifling to a lesser audience.

February 20, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Customer service

They talk about 93% customer satisfaction what a joke. The only way to make a complaint is by email. The staff are useless and not helpful at all.

February 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible service

Terrible service got fined and had to pay 50 pounds tried to appeal but it kept getting denied. Went on a train and it could not reach the end destination so instead a bus service was was offered, however the driver of the bus was unable to drive due to his maximum work hours been used resulting in being stuck with no way home that was provided from the service. Another thing I hate about the service is in Liverpool they still have not upgraded to digital tickets which is ridiculous in the current year.

October 7, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Poor app

You go on app tells you trains on time.
When you get to station they are cancelled. Had to get taxi to liverpool cost of £20.00. I have a rail card. Very disappointed. Poor.

January 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Consistently pathetic

What's the excuse today!? Merseyrail are now so bad they can't be relied upon. Perhaps if they invested more money into the service instead of paying out large wads of cash to their share holders, we might get a decent service. Appraently they were unprepared for Winter (again), so the trains are off with little hope of a rail replacement bus. Utterly pathetic.

January 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Penalty Services employees

Penalty Services employees, used by Merseyrail -

Create a mountain from a mole hill
Understanding logic doesn't exist
No customer service at all
Try to maximise fines for nothing
Serve fines with lies

Bully boys rule in this "organisation"
Should be disbanded or at least controlled, but Merseyrail let them loose to do what they truthfully or not.

December 17, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disgusting behaviour

Absolute disgrace of a company. Staff are clearly getting kicks out of stopping people travelling because a jobsworth thinks they are drunk. They should be helping people to get home not leaveing them stranded.

December 6, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Take the bus, taxi or walk if possible

I bought a ticket online and was told on the app that my ticket was unavailable for collection at the station but could collect at a connecting station. Approached the rent-a-cop on the barrier at Central and explained myself with screen shots as proof. I had bought a ticket but was told to collect it elsewhere. Rude, obnoxious and kept interrupting me as I tried to explain. Ended up in a fine. Tried to appeal it but got knocked back. As this took time the 50% reduction window had elapsed so had to pay over £100 for not printing out a ticket when I was told I couldn't.

June 28, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

8 car trains never stop at cressington…

8 car trains never stop at cressington and never will platforms to small , so why waste money on signs saying they will , rugby on this afternoon said trains would run every 15 mins got to station every half hour, joke company, joke service

November 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

It's like the rail company's a TEMU version of itself

On the morning of the 19th of this month, I made my way to the train station with the intention of getting the train after purchasing my train ticket - reason being that I had a train at Lime Street ready to take me to the airport for the flight to Spain I had that day.

I had purchased the ticket, walked down the stairs to the platform, and do you know what the train driver did not do?
Yes, that's right!
They did not even stop at the station. Just looked me in the eye and carried on straight to Hamilton Square. The icing on the cake was that the next scheduled train would not have gotten me to Lime Street in time, so I had to shell out ~£15 for an Uber to get me to Lime Street in time.

Somehow, I could not be less surprised if I dedicated my life to trying to be less surprised at the fact that my colleagues appropriately call it "Miseryrail."
They are the Argyle Satellite of train companies, which is saying something as Argyle's the Merseyrail of taxi companies.

October 19, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

These trains are a f* joke

These trains are a fricken joke. Never get me where i need to be on time. Always reckon "signalling issue". Always lashing me off at sandhills when i payed to go to central. Always stopping an just chilling at all the stations when its already excessively late an i have places to be.

October 25, 2025
Unprompted review

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