Transport for the North (TfN) has launched its new Connected Mobile Strategy scheme within the North of England.
The scheme, which aims to simplify journeys across the region, paves the way for TfN and its partners to improve passenger experiences through the introduction of multi-modal ticketing schemes.
Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive at Transport for the North, said:We’re delighted to launch our Connected Mobility Strategy which builds on, and empowers, local successes and decision making in delivering more connected journeys.
The way people travel from point A to point B is changing and the Strategy will go a long way towards giving passengers better information on their travel choices. It’s not about reinventing the wheel; instead, it’s about helping the wheel move faster for passengers in the North.
Putting the passenger at the heart of our transport system is central to transforming the North’s transport offering. The evidence base and tools held by Transport for the North will support local decision makers bring forward solutions that meet their communities’ needs. In this way the Strategy will play a key role in transforming connectivity across the North and help create a transport system that meets the demands of the 21st-century passenger.
Multi-modal ticketing allows passengers to utilise different modes of transport to operate seamlessly across any given journey with integrated payments.
With this strategy, TfN hopes to make a stronger case for better-structured regional funding, allowing for solutions that will improve the passenger experience. In doing so, they are highlighting the importance of investment in digital infrastructure which is critical to transferring solutions to passengers.
Matt Smallwood, Connected Mobility Manager at Transport for the North, said:With 95% of the population predicted to have smart phones by 2025, and almost 40% of all payments in 2022 using a contactless card, it is no surprise that smarter, integrated and more connected journeys for passengers remains a shared ambition for many of the North’s transport authorities.
Through the implementation of the Connected Mobility Strategy, we can make the case for clear, evidence-led funding to achieve shared outcomes which will help realise this ambition and improve passenger experiences across the North.
