An £18 million project has been launched by Transport for West Midlands to introduce fare capping on board the regions buses and trams to ensure passengers get the best value and have greater convenience when using debit or credit cards on board. The new system will be developed over the next two years.
The funding has recently been secured from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and is just one of a number of innovations that TfWM – part of the West Midlands Combined Authority – are aiming to deliver over the next two years.
Swift – the pay as you go card available in the West Midlands – will still be available for use after the introduction of the new system and will also provide the same value for money as using contactless payments.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Given the cost of living pressures facing local residents right across our region, the pay as you go options, flexible tickets and season passes offered via Swift have an important role to play in reducing household outgoings during these challenging times. Thanks to the operators we work closely with, the West Midlands has some of the lowest fares in the country. This is especially true on our excellent value bus network, with the daysaver held at its 2013 price – cheaper than recent daysaver fares announced in other parts of the UK – and further boosted by the news this week that the Department for Transport will cap single fares at £2 for a period. Over the longer term, our new investment into multi operator contactless ticketing will help to make public transport here even more convenient, even more cost efficient and even greater value for money in the future.”
Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Swift is a national leader in smart ticketing and this investment will take it to the next level for passengers – offering everyone the lowest fare guaranteed on public transport with just a tap of their bank card. Offering better value and convenience is a key part of our plans to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and use public transport as we tackle the climate emergency, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the air we breathe. This is just part of the more than £1 billion investment we are putting in our transport over the next five years to revolutionise our bus, cycling, rail and tram networks and services better connecting people to the job and leisure opportunities across the region.”