Merseyrail is one of the most frequent British commuter systems outside London. Services run on two lines covering the Liverpool suburban area with a total track length of 120 km. The Wirral line, extending under the river Mersey, links Liverpool with West Kirby, Ellesmere Port, New Brighton and Chester. The Northern Line links Liverpool with Ormskirk, Kirkby, Southport and Hunts Cross (map).
Serco has formed a joint venture with NedRailways, the international arm of Dutch national rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen; they have been granted a concession for 25 years for Merseyrail.