West Midlands to become pilot of £20m transport scheme

The West Midlands is to receive £20m to create the first Future Mobility Area and invest in new modes of transport, services and technologies.

The scheme is the first of three and will be the pilot for car sharing, electric bikes, using data to ease congestion, and mobility as a service.

It was announced on the first day of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.

“This is a sector where we lead the world,” Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands told the conference.

“Autonomous vehicles are being tested in Birmingham, electric taxis manufactured in Coventry, and Range Rovers are sold around the globe.

“The Future Mobility Area will make sure the residents of the West Midlands can travel around the region as quickly, easily and cheaply as possible.”

The future of mobility is one of four “Grand Challenges” identified in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, alongside AI and data, the ageing society, and clean growth.

This scheme will focus on more choice to users, easier payments and access to reliable real-time data. The promotion of shared transport, together with travel choices driven by real time data about incidents and congestion, for example, will help alleviate traffic and improve Britain’s transport.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling added: “We will create an environment where new technologies and services can be deployed, giving passengers more choice than ever before.

“Whether you’re travelling to work or training or education, all will benefit from the innovation to come.”