HOLDERS of Merseytravel concessionary passes who have vaccinations for coronavirus scheduled before 9.30am can use the tickets on buses or trains to get to their appointments from today. 

Passengers will be able present proof of their appointment - whether this is a letter, card or email - alongside their concessionary pass to travel for free during the morning peak as long as this is to receive their vaccination.

The exemption will cover Merseyrail Northern and Wirral lines as well as all bus routes within the Merseytravel area and will be kept under regular review.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region - which includes Wirral - said: "After almost a year of tough restrictions the rollout of vaccines offers the hope of a return to some form of normality in the near future.

"Whilst we are still in lockdown our public transport network should only be used for essential journeys, but to help people get vaccinated we’re making sure that concessionary pass holders can still use the bus or train to get to their appointments for free even if these are during peak times.

"The pandemic has hit our city region hard, but with the end of the crisis now in sight, we want to help people to take up their vaccines when they’re offered to them.”