Calls mount for Midlands-wide travel card system

Leaders from across the Midlands are calling on Government to fund a region-wide smart ticketing platform for public transport which they say is “an essential part of the levelling-up agenda”.

MPs are lobbying for investment in a Midlands-wide ‘tap and cap’ smart ticketing system for public transport in a bid to boost passenger numbers and safety post-COVID-19.

Research by transport body Midlands Connect, which helped to develop the plans, showed that nine out of ten people surveyed supported the scheme, while 61% of respondents questioned said that having a smart ticketing system in place would make them more likely to use public transport.

Set to cost £20m, the ‘tap and cap’ system will allow passengers to travel across the whole region, paying for journeys on buses, trams and trains via one smart device, mobile phone or credit card.

Although smart ticketing initiatives exist in some form in Nottingham, via the Robin Hood travel card and in parts of the West Midlands via ‘Swift’, the UK’s second biggest public transport payment system after London’s Oyster scheme, this new platform would be the first to function at a Midlands-wide level, and encompass all public transport operators and modes.

In future the initiative could also be rolled out to cover travel via electric bike hire and e-scooter initiatives.

The development of the smart ticketing platform, will be led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) with initial delivery being led by TfWM and Nottingham City Council.

Strategic regional transport body Midlands Connect then will work with other local authorities across the region to integrate more areas into the scheme, which could be operational by 2022 in Nottingham and the West Midlands Combined Authority area, and across the whole Midlands region by 2024.

Nicola Richards, MP for West Bromwich East, said: “It’s been 17 years since the oyster card was introduced in London; it’s about time the Midlands had a smart ticketing system of its own. With everything else that’s going on, we must not delay efforts to decarbonise the economy – we’re in the midst of a climate emergency, and it’s essential we give passengers the tools they need to return post-pandemic to a convenient, cost-effective and safe public transport network, in greater numbers than ever before.

“This scheme represents great value for money, has the backing of local communities, and is an essential step in levelling up. I hope the Chancellor gives us the green light to turn these plans into reality.”

Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South, and former chair of the Transport Select Committee, said: “The UK regions need truly ‘smart’ ticketing systems, just like those enjoyed by Londoners.

“These plans will give Midlanders a transport network fit for the future; no more fussing with change, or paper tickets, just a seamless, convenient customer experience. We must give passengers the convenience and affordability they need to leave their cars at home.

“Pre-pandemic, public transport use was sky-rocketing across the Midlands region, we have a limited window of opportunity to welcome back both old and new customers post-COVID. An investment in smart ticketing and public transport will be a decisive sign that Government is serious about tackling climate change. I sincerely hope the Chancellor funds this essential project in his Budget.”

Meanwhile, Transport for the North will meet this week to agree the closure of its planned £150m smart ticketing programme after the Department for Transport (DfT) slashed the organisation’s funding.

The regional transport body learned last month that its funding from Government would be much lower than for this year and would not cover the costs of its plans.

This put its smart ticketing ambitions in jeopardy and TfN’s board will now meet to approve the closure of its Integrated and Smart Travel (IST) programme.

TfN had requested £33m for the year ahead to deliver contactless payment on rail, light rail and buses across the North.