Network West Midlands is about to become the new, public face of public transport in the West Midlands.
It is a partnership between Centro and bus, rail and tram operating companies within the West Midlands County to promote increased public transport use.
It means a new range of information – from network identifiers to regularly updated passenger information, timetables and a website – all designed to make public transport easier to use. The benefits will be felt by existing passengers, while also making public transport a more attractive option for non-users.
Network West Midlands is a significant part of Centro-PTA’s campaign, in partnership with city and borough councils, to tackle congestion by persuading more people out of their cars and on to the region’s buses, trains and trams.
Read more on the Network West Midlands website: www.networkwestmidlands.com
As the UK ’s second largest conurbation, the West Midlands creates a massive demand for public transport and Centro and its partners are committed to the creation of a fully integrated public transport network.
Network West Midlands is a vision of the future where bus, rail and Midland Metro connect, with many services on busy routes being on a ‘turn up and go ’ basis.
Network West Midlands (NWM) is the result of consultation with customers, public transport users, non-users, transport providers and private and public sector partners.
In a nutshell, the aim is that reliable, punctual and safe public transport will be within easy reach of you on every stage of your journey, with tickets and information eventually available through a ‘One Stop Shop ’ system.
The proposed Midland Metro extensions are an integral part of the new Network and bus travel, particularly Bus Showcase, will form a major aspect of the need to serve and link the principal West Midlands cities and towns with high frequency services, especially during peak hours.
Plans for rail travel include a mix of stopping, semi-fast and fast services at 10-minute intervals, again at peak times. Good integration to provide ‘seamless ’ journeys is key to encouraging people to use public transport .
Integration does not end with combining just bus rail and Metro for a journey, it also includes integration for people who walk or cycle for part of their journey.
To complement the ‘seamless ’ journey, Centro in partnership with operators has a number of travel card products to give people the right choice of travel card for their choice of mode(s).
At key points in journeys, Centro and partners aim to provide public transport information to ensure that the customer has travel information to enable them to plan and make connections on their journey.
In Coventry, Network West Midlands also appears as Network Coventry.
