A special ferry is to be laid on alongside additional rail and bus services later this month
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The first test event for Everton's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
The first test event for Everton's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
(Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
As preparations continue for the official opening of Everton’s new stadium with a second test event next weekend, transport services across the Liverpool City Region are also being stepped up. Around 25,000 fans are expected at the under-21 friendly match on Sunday, March 23 as part of tests for the new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock ahead of its full opening later this year.
After meeting with fans groups and representatives from Everton FC, transport chiefs have announced additional services are to be laid on across the region’s rail, bus and ferry networks next weekend. Following the first test event last month, officials came in for criticism particularly around capacity at Sandhills station and development of a fan management zone.
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Rail bosses have asked for patience when using Sandhills in particular and asked for passengers to be kind to staff. Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said changes had been made based on fan feedback to deliver “the best matchday experience possible.”
To deal with the increased number of users passing through, Merseyrail has confirmed it will amend its Sunday timetable accordingly. Services will run every 15 minutes on the Southport, Ormskirk and Headbolt Lane lines, with eight car trains where possible.
All other lines will remain as 30-minute services. At Sandhills and Liverpool city centre stations, a crowd flow management system, similar to ones used for other major events in the city region, will be in place to help make journeys smoother and safer.
Passengers are being urged to allow more time for journeys accordingly. In a statement, Merseyrail said: “Please also be kind to Merseyrail colleagues who will be managing our fan waiting zone, working hard to keep everything running smoothly and to help where needed.”
Northern services are reduced on Sundays due to ongoing industrial action with passengers encouraged to check the latest information before travelling. Lime Street station will be open as usual for national services.
Everton U18s v Wigan Athletic U18s friendly test event match at Everton Stadium on February 17, 2025
Everton U18s v Wigan Athletic U18s friendly test event match at Everton Stadium on February 17, 2025(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
A number of bus services will operate near to Everton Stadium on the day of the game on a Sunday timetable, including 54/ 54A, 56, 58/ 58A. There will be three commercially operated shuttle bus services on matchdays, running from two hours before kick-off and then from the end of the test event, but not during the match.
These include:
919 Service from / to Commutation Row (Close to Lime Street)
City Centre Pick up & Drop Off: Commutation Row
Stadium Drop off – Great Howard Street at Blackstone Street
Stadium Pick Up: Great Howard Street at Bentinck Street
929 Service from / to Liverpool One Bus Station
City Centre Pick Up & Drop Off: Liverpool One Bus Station
Stadium Drop off – Great Howard Street at Blackstone Street
Stadium Pick Up: Great Howard Street, north of Denbigh Street
939 Service from / to Bootle Strand Bus Station.
Bootle Pick-Up & Drop Off: Bootle Bus Station, Washington Parade (Strand Shopping Centre)
Stadium Drop Off: Derby Road at Wellington Employment Park, north of Blackstone Street
Stadium Pick Up: Derby Road, north of Boundary Street
A free shuttle bus service will operate for supporters with accessible needs, between Sandhills station at Sandhills Lane and Boundary Street before and after matches. This service must be booked in advance by contacting the Accessibility Team at Everton on 0151 556 1878 (option 1, then 2, followed by 3).
The 919, 929 and 939 shuttle buses also stop at stadium bus stops and Boundary St - at Royal Crest Hotel - for those with limited mobility. Mersey Ferries will operate a Sunday timetable, starting at 10am from Pier Head, then 10.20am at Seacombe until the last sailing at 4pm.
A special 5pm service will leave from Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal at Liverpool Pier Head to Seacombe for match goers who wish to use the Ferry and walk to and from the stadium. If used frequently enough this could be a new service to serve future match events at the new stadium.
The Queensway Tunnel for Birkenhead will open as usual while the Kingsway Tunnel for Wallasey will close for essential maintenance at 7pm.