Plans to launch a region-wide travel app in the West Midlands that provides access to the most convenient, cost-effective and sustainable transport modes in one place have taken a major step forward.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has appointed FOD Mobility Group to help design, develop and deliver the Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) app using its Mobilleo platform.
With the app users will be able to plan journeys, receive live travel information, book and pay for all local transport options – including buses, trains, trams, e-scooters, walking, cycle hire, taxis, demand-responsive transport (DRT), car rental, car club and parking.
Set to replace the existing TfWM app, the new app is designed to transform public and shared transport in the region by making it easier and quicker for people to get information, choose more sustainable travel and find the best value fares.
Anne Shaw, executive director of TfWM, said the app aims to deliver on goals set out in the authority’s Local Transport Plan by “building trust through an enhanced user experience, integrating ticketing and information and helping to decarbonise our transport networks”.
“TfWM is putting unprecedented investment into growing our Metro, rail, bus and active travel networks,” said Shaw.
“As well as developing travel modes, we need to look closely at how we can make accessing transport as seamless as possible through simple plan, book and pay mechanisms.
This will encourage more people to use public and shared transport, or active travel and reduce private car use.
“With this new MaaS platform we are looking to do just that. This will be a one stop shop for anyone looking to travel around the West Midlands.”
Alongside FOD Mobility Group, TfWM is working on the project with a range of partners including consultant Arcadis – providing behaviour change advice, Brompton Bike Hire and Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Car Club.
Other project partners include ITO World, which will provide real-time public transport data across the West Midlands, Euclid and Unicard – responsible for integration with TfWM’s Swift smart travel scheme.
Local authority and transport operator partners will also collaborate on the app development, which has been funded from the UK Department for Transport’s Future Transport Zone programme.
Innovations and achievements such as this will highlighted and celebrated at the second annual CiTTi Awards, which takes place at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London on 21 November 2023. Entries are now open and close on July 28. For more information, please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk
