2023: Level Boarding
The arrival of the Class 777s was a bittersweet moment for many railway enthusiasts, as the beloved class 507 and 508 fleet was replaced.
However, the 777's introduction made Merseyrail the first mainline railway operator with a 100% accessible fleet. Merseytravel and Network Rail worked to rebuild Merseyrail station platforms to match the height of the train doors, while the trains themselves have sliding steps to bridge the gap between platform and train. Wheelchair users no longer have to rely on staff members to deploy ramps for access to the train.
With an ongoing project to install lifts or ramps at every station, the result is one of the most accessible transport networks in the country, which has been cited by many industry experts as an example for others to follow.
The first 777 was introduced onto the Kirkby line in January 2023 and was gradually rolled out to the rest of the network over two years, with the rollout completed in November 2024.
Several class 777s have additionally been fitted with batteries, which allow them to operate beyond the confines of the third rail network. This technology allowed the first extension of the Merseyrail system to Headbolt Lane in Kirkby, the first extension of the Merseyrail system since 1994. In the future, this technology may be used to extend the system to Wrexham, Runcorn and Preston.
