Merseyrail has reported that more than 105,000 journeys were made by racegoers travelling to and from The Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse last weekend.

The operation’s success was largely down to a dedicated train strategy with Merseyrail running a seven-and-a-half-minute service throughout the Festival.

Other initiatives introduced by the company to ensure the success of its operations, were giving away 4,000 pairs of its famous Merseyrail flip flops, putting on live music and entertainment to passengers at Aintree station, and introducing extra services to the racecourse during the Festival.

Merseyrail ensured that train travel was the easiest way to get to and from the racecourse by doubling the capacity and frequency of trains to Aintree and reinstating its popular seven-and-a-half-minute service.

Extra staff were deployed at Aintree, Liverpool Central, and Moorfields stations to support passengers, as the network delivered a reliable and punctual service throughout the festival.

A number of charities benefitted from the generosity of racegoers, with a total of £4,200 raised by charitable collections at the station, for woodlands Hospice, SWACA (Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid) and The Paper Cup Project.

Jane English, acting Managing Director at Merseyrail, said: “We were delighted and proud to deliver a brilliant customer experience and train service during the Grand National Festival.

“Despite some mixed weather and disruption, which was expertly managed, we safely transported over 105,000 attendees to and from the racecourse. It was great to get feedback directly from passengers, who were so impressed how organised everything was, regardless of where they travelled from.

“It’s a tribute to the professionalism and expertise of the Merseyrail staff in both the pre-planning and delivery over the three days.

“There are more huge events planned for the Liverpool city region over the next few months, and I am in no doubt that the same organisation and planning from Merseyrail will support and enhance the public’s enjoyment.”