New TfN strategy to bring seamless connected journeys across the North

Transport for the North (TfN) has launched its Connected Mobility Strategy for the North, aimed at supporting simple and seamless journeys for the region.  

Connected mobility is the ability for different modes of transport to communicate seamlessly with each other to improve the reliability and affordability of passenger journeys, by allowing integrated payment methods, ticketing and journey planning.

The Connected Mobility Strategy will enable TfN and its partners to collaborate on improving passenger experience across the North.

The strategy aims to reduce duplication of processes, streamline payments and enable integration of ticketing across different modes of transportation by focusing action on three key themes:

• The future of ticketing
• Data and infrastructure
• Future mobility

Immediate priorities of the strategy include supporting the delivery of multi-modal ticketing schemes. 

It also makes a strong case for more and better-structured regional funding to deliver innovative solutions that improve the passenger experience, as well as highlighting the importance of investment in the required digital infrastructure critical to enabling those solutions to be accessible to passengers. 

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.” 

Connected mobility will empower people in their travel choices, encourage greater use of public transport, and help reduce congestion and emissions – creating a greener, more inclusive and better connected North.    

Matt Smallwood, connected mobility manager at Transport for the North, 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.”