July 7th 2023
Mobility as a service (MaaS) travel app for West Midlands
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) appoints Yorkshire-based FOD Mobility Group to design, develop and deliver a new, wide-ranging mobility app with access to all modes of transport.
The aim is to revolutionise public and shared transport in the region by making it quicker and easier to get information, choose more sustainable travel options and find the best value fares. It’s part of TfWM’s plan to improve access to integrated transport and will replace the existing TfWM app.
Photo by Metrogogo
Run through FOD Mobility Group’s Mobilleo MaaS platform, the new app will enable residents in and visitors to the West Midlands to plan journeys, receive live travel information, book and pay for all local transport (including buses, trains, trams, e-Scooters, cycle hire, taxis, Demand Responsive Transport (DRT), car rental, car club, parking – and walking). Wherever the user wants to go, the app will provide the most convenient, cost-effective and sustainable option, tailored to their individual preferences.
The project is funded via the Department for Transport’s Future Transport Zone programme. The hope is to build trust through an enhanced user experience that integrates ticketing and information, while at the same time helping to decarbonise our transport networks. In doing so, it will deliver on aims set out in the local transport plan
A range of partners are also involved in the project, including Brompton Bike Hire and Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Car Club. Consultants Arcadis are providing advice on behaviour change advice. Other partners include ITO World, which provides 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 in the development of the app.
Anne Shaw, Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands, says: ‘TfWM is putting unprecedented investment into growing our Metro, rail, bus and active travel networks.
‘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 mobility as a service platform we are looking to do just that. We are working with some of the best British tech and mobility companies to design an app which is easy to use, convenient and offers great value. This will be a one stop shop for anyone looking to travel around the West Midlands. We are delighted to bring FOD Mobility Group and other key partners on board to work on this exciting project.’
Justin Whitston, CEO of FOD Mobility Group, adds: ‘We are truly delighted to be working with TfWM on what will be an exciting and scalable mobility-as-a-service project, powered by our Mobilleo platform. We look forward to working long-term to deliver a new approach to travelling around the West Midlands.’
Oz Choudhri, Head of Mobility Solutions at UK and Ireland for Enterprise, says: ‘We are very excited to be a partner in the project. Enterprise already has a strong presence throughout the West Midlands through our rental and car club operations.
‘We are confident that we will further grow this presence enabling us to play a key role in delivering shared and sustainable transport. We will also be working with TfWM on a number of social value projects which will engage with residents and businesses.’
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