It is on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network and serves in particular the nearby New Strand Shopping Centre.

[1][2] It is shown on the OS 1850 six-inch map as Marsh Lane and Linacre station but with no details.

[1][11] In 1978 the station became part of the Merseyrail network's Northern Line (operated by British Rail until privatised in 1995).

Service running information is available via CIS screens, automated announcements, customer help points and timetable poster boards.

[14] Trains operate every 15 minutes throughout the day from Monday to Saturday, to Southport to the north, and to Hunts Cross via Liverpool Central to the south.