Media release
18th August 2017
Number of vehicles registered with merseyflow hits 25,000
During its first full month of operation the merseyflow team has registered more than 25,000 vehicles for discounts on bridge tolls/charges.
Vehicles from across Halton and the surrounding area have been successfully registered by owners using the merseyflow website, walk-in centre and call centre.
The merseyflow website remains the quickest way to register, and the team is encouraging people to register ahead of the expected rush that will happen when the new bridge opens in the near future. Anyone who has yet to register can do so at www.merseyflow.co.uk.
Since opening for registrations at 8am on Monday, 17th July, more than 15,000 vehicles have been registered online, 7,400 vehicles have been registered at the walk-in centre, and 2,600 vehicles have been registered over the phone.
Anthony Alicastro, who is Chief Executive Officer of emovis operations (Mersey) Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of emovis, which runs the merseyflow operation, said it had been a successful first month of operation.
"Reaching 25,000 vehicles registered is a huge landmark for merseyflow, and we've also had almost 100,000 unique users visit our website in the past month, so we know that others are looking at the option that is best for them, which is good to see." he said.
"It demonstrates that our efforts to encourage people to register early and beat the rush when the Mersey Gateway Bridge opens, are working and are catching people's attention.
"This is great news, and registrations continue to grow every day.
"If you haven't registered yet, now is the best time to do so, and the fastest way to register is online at www.merseyflow.co.uk.
"We would urge everyone to register ahead of the bridge opening this autumn."
The merseyflow tolling system is being operated by emovis (www.emovis.com), a global leader in tolling solutions, and which successfully operates similar schemes in the UK, Canada and Ireland. emovis is 100% owned by abertis, the world's leader in highways management with more than 8,000 km of toll/charge roads under contract.
The quickest way to register is online at: www.merseyflow.co.uk, but you can also register over the phone and at our walk-in centre.
How to register
If you would like to register there are a number of ways to do it.
The website – www.merseyflow.co.uk – is the quickest option, but you can also contact the call centre on: 01928 878 878, or visit the walk-in centre at 9 Howard Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1SJ.
Merseyflow is also running a temporary registration service at the Halton Direct Link on Brook Street in Widnes.
The opening hours for the Runcorn walk-in centre and call centre are 8am - 8pm weekdays, and 9am - 6pm weekends and bank holidays.
You can register at the Halton Direct Link, Widnes, between 9am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am – 1pm Saturday.
Registering is the only way to get discounts on journeys across the Mersey, or if you qualify, free travel across the bridges.
Anyone who is eligible for the Halton residents' discount scheme must register and pay their £10 annual fee in order to claim their free trips.
Anyone, wherever they live, can also register for a pre-pay account, or monthly pass which both give discounts on the full unregistered toll/charge fee.
It will still be possible to cross the bridges without registering but, if you do, you will have to pay the full unregistered toll/charge fee which is £2 per car per crossing, with additional charges for larger vehicles.
Blue Badge holders will also be able to register for unlimited travel on the bridges after providing copies of the front and back of their Blue Badge and paying a one-off £5 admin fee.
Once registered, you will receive a merseyflow sticker to place in your registered vehicle's windscreen.
This sticker means your vehicle will be recognised when you travel across the new bridge, and will ensure you do not receive a penalty charge notice as long as you have funds in your account.
A guide outlining exactly where to place the sticker on your windscreen is also available.
Merseyflow has produced a range of leaflets to help explain the registration process to people that live in Halton, as well as to residents living outside of the area.
The new bridge is expected to open this autumn. When it opens the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be closed to road traffic for up to 12 months while it is refurbished.
During this time the Silver Jubilee Bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Editors Notes:
More information about tolling is available at www.merseyflow.co.uk. Both the new Mersey Gateway Bridge and the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge will be tolled/charged.
You can find out more about the construction and history of the Mersey Gateway Project at www.merseygateway.co.uk.