Regional transport executive launches exercise to scope the delivery of a ‘digital journey platform’ that will let travellers plan routes and buy tickets for buses, trains and the Midland Metro
Transport for the West Midlands has set out plans for the introduction of a new app that will allow people in the region to plan journeys and buy tickets for buses, trains and Midland Metro trams.
The executive body, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, has this week launched a commercial engagement exercise for the project, which it is calling the West Midlands Digital Journey Platform.
It said the current vision for the app is that it will be a “unified, customer-centric solution for journey planning and mobile ticketing” that supports the combined authority’s strategic goals around public-transport adoption and bus franchising. A London-style system of bus franchising is due to be introduced across the combined-authority area, starting from spring 2027.
TfWM said it expected that the same journey-planning functionality available on the app should also be available on its website and be supported by bespoke customer-relationship management and back-office functions.
Although the transport executive ultimately wants the app to provide ticketing and journey planning across multiple transport modes, it suggested that bus ticketing would be a “minimum” requirement from launch.
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According to the West Midlands Combined Authority, 236 million bus journeys were made across its boroughs last year, with bus travel accounting for eight out of 10 public-transport trips overall.
TfWM said the app should also be able to integrate real-time data and customer insights, support account-based ticketing, and be scalable, secure and interoperable with existing infrastructure.
According to its preliminary engagement notice, TfWM says it expects to offer a six-year contract to help create and run the app, with an anticipated contract start date of October next year and a product launch date no later than May 2027.
Over the next few weeks the executive is seeking views from potential suppliers ahead of the launch of the formal procurement process.
“This preliminary market engagement exercise seeks to understand market interest in working with TfWM on this project, gather insights into possible market solutions, help support TfWM develop its requirements, and support the design of a suitable procurement approach,” it said.
The engagement exercise is open until 20 October.
