Editing Merseytravel (section)

==Rail services==
{{Merseyrail map|width=240|alt=Merseyrail is located in Merseyside}}
Merseytravel, as the passenger transport executive,  is responsible for the co-ordination of local rail services which operate within Liverpool City Region under the direction of the combined authority. Merseytravel is the owner of Merseyrail which operates services across Merseyside, Cheshire, and Lancashire under a franchise model.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2021 |title=Metro Mayor moves to take full control of Merseyrail network |url=https://lbndaily.co.uk/metro-mayor-moves-take-full-control-merseyrail-network/ |access-date=16 November 2024 |website=Liverpool Business News}}</ref>
[[File:777142 Headbolt Lane Station 05.10.2023.jpg|thumb|New Merseyrail 777142 trains introduced on the network from 2023]]

===Merseyrail===
{{See also|Merseyrail|Northern line (Merseyrail)|Wirral line}}
As a result of the [[privatisation of British Rail]], the [[Northern line (Merseyrail)|Northern]] and [[Wirral line]]s of the local [[Merseyrail]] rail network were brought together as the Merseyrail Electrics [[Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain|passenger franchise]], that was privatised on 19 January 1997. Under the original privatisation legislation of 1993, PTEs were co-signatories of franchise agreements covering their areas. The first [[train operating company]] (TOC) awarded the franchise contract was [[MTL (transport company)|MTL]], originally the operating arm of the PTE, but privatised itself in 1985. It traded under the Merseyrail Electrics brand, but after MTL was sold to [[Arriva]], the company was rebranded [[Arriva Trains Merseyside]] from 27 April 2001.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,238701,00.html |title=There'll be £13,500 along for bus drivers employees |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=25 January 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investegate.co.uk/articlePrint.aspx?id=200002180730228111F |title=Recommended Cash Offer for MTL Services |publisher=Arriva |date=18 February 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=200003080702438650G |title=Final Results Year Ended 31 December 1999 |publisher=Arriva |date=8 March 2000}}</ref>

When the franchise came up for renewal, reflecting the exclusive nature of the two lines - being largely isolated from the rest of the [[National Rail]] network and with no through passenger services to/from outside the Merseyrail network, the decision was taken to remove it from the national framework and bring it into local control. As a result, using the Merseyrail Electrics Network Order 2002 the [[Secretary of State for Transport]] exempted the system from being designated as a railway franchise under the privatisation legislation (the [[Railways Act 1993]]). This allowed the PTE to contract out the lines themselves, which it did with [[Merseyrail]] operated by [[Serco-Abellio]] commencing a 25-year contract on 20 July 2003.<ref name="HOCBP_policy">{{cite document |publisher=House of Common |id=House of Common Briefing Paper SN6521 |title=Railways: franchising policy |date=30 September 2015 |author=Louise Butcher}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2849849/Merseyrail-franchise-goes-Dutch.html |title=Merseyrail franchise goes Dutch |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (UK)|The Daily Telegraph]] |date=24 April 2003}}</ref>

Unlike most rolling stock that is owned by private sector [[Rolling stock company|rolling stock companies]], Merseytravel will outright own the {{brc|777}} fleet, operated by Merseyrail.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First Stadler Class 777 arrives on Merseyside |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=1427 |date=February 2020 |page=10}}</ref> The current {{brc|507}} and {{brc|508}} fleets are owned by [[Angel Trains]] and leased to Merseyrail.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

===Merseytravel City line===
{{See also|City line (Merseytravel)}}
A third line, the [[City line (Merseytravel)|City line]], also historically branded as Merseyrail under [[British Rail]], was also privatised under the 1993 Act, but as part of the much larger North West Regional Railways (NWRR) franchise. On 2 March 1997, North Western Trains, later rebranded [[First North Western]], commenced operating the franchise. Some {{brc|142}} units were repainted in Merseytravel's yellow livery. This line was not included in the 2003 exemption given to the other two lines, and so it has continued as part of the government-administered rail franchise system, although the role of PTEs in the franchising process has altered due by the 2005 Railways Act. From 11 December 2004, the NWRR franchise was merged into a new Northern franchise and operated by [[Northern Rail]]. The Merseyrail Class 142 units were repainted into Northern Rail livery. On 1 April 2016, the franchise was taken over by [[Arriva Rail North]].<ref name="HOCBP_policy"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/rail-news/arriva-chosen-to-run-and-expand-northern-franchise-from-next-year |title=Arriva chosen to run and expand Northern franchise from next year |magazine=Rail Technology Magazine |date=9 December 2015}}</ref>