New strategy launched on ways to improve transport connectivity across the North

Transport for the North (TfN) has launched a new strategy to improve connectivity between different modes of transport across the region.

The Connected Mobility Strategy, published yesterday (30th October) is aimed at supporting simple and seamless journeys for the region, exploring the ability for different modes of transport to communicate seamlessly with one another. Connected Mobility has the potential to improve the reliability and affordability of passenger journeys, by allowing integrated payment methods, ticketing and journey planning.

Immediate priorities for the North’s transport system put forward by TfN including supporting the delivery of multi-modal ticketing schemes that allow passengers to use different forms of public transport on a single ticket. TfN’s Connected Mobility Strategy also makes the case for investment in the digital infrastructure that is critical to allowing better connectivity, and better-structured regional funding to deliver improvements.

Commenting on the launch of the North’s Connected Mobility Strategy, TfN Chief Executive Martin Tugwell 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.”

Matt Smallwood, Connected Mobility Manager at TfN, added:

“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.”

In Greater Manchester, work to better integrate different modes of public transport is already underway. From September, public transport users have been able to purchase combined bus and tram tickets as part of the rollout of the city-region’s Bee Network. A trial of tap-in tap-out train tickets on select local rail routes is also set to take place in the coming months that can integrate with similar payment schemes in place on the Metrolink network.