UK’s West Midlands to launch ‘tap and go’ fare capping

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is working with UK bus operators to launch a major fare capping project that offers passengers better value and convenience when using their credit or debit card on public transport.

Over the next two years, a system will be developed to allow passengers to use their contactless cards across a range of transport modes and operators, with the best value fares applied automatically.

The scheme is one of a number of innovations being delivered over the next two years after TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), secured £18 million (US$21.09 million) in funding from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Councillor Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “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.”

Swift card

Although in future passengers will not need a Swift card – the electronic ticketing scheme developed by TfWM – to ensure best value, it will continue to be available for those either excluded from the banking system or unwilling to use their contactless card for travel.

After London’s Oyster card, Swift is the most popular smartcard scheme for travel payments in the UK, with approximately 250,000 regular users making more than 60 million journeys per year.

The funding will also cover the costs of 60 new Swift card vending machines which will be installed at key locations across the West Midlands from early next year.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “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 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.”