Transport for Greater Manchester turns to Via for enhancing smart door-to-door transit services
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has turned to Via to modernise its Ring & Ride and Local Link services, towards the establishment of a fully integrated Bee Network. Greater Manchester recently became the first area outside of London to fully franchise its bus network, allowing TfGM to directly manage routes, fares, service standards, and technology […]
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has turned to Via to modernise its Ring & Ride and Local Link services, towards the establishment of a fully integrated Bee Network.
Greater Manchester recently became the first area outside of London to fully franchise its bus network, allowing TfGM to directly manage routes, fares, service standards, and technology integration.
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According to its own figures, as of today Via’s technology powers 35 demand-responsive transport and dial-a-ride schemes across the UK, including those with Transport for London, Transport for West Midlands, and Transport for Wales. Despite regional disparities, Via is the dominant player in the global on-demand transit market, holding a 24% share according to Lukas Foljanty’s On-Demand Transit 2024 Market Report.
Via introducing smart scheduling on Manchester’s services
Ring & Ride provides transport to disabled people and older people with walking difficulties in Greater Manchester, while Local Link offers a flexible minibus service for local journeys in parts of the city-region where public transport services are limited. Over 850 passengers are involved daily.
Key benefits of the upgraded Ring & Ride and Local Link services include new booking options: passengers can book rides through a mobile app with real-time information and updates. Scheduling of vehicles is made through Via’s technology, that matches passengers travelling in the same direction into shared vehicles.
What is also interesting, Via underlines that in the near future, TfGM and Via will integrate journeys with the broader Bee Network.
Alison Chew, TfGM’s Deputy Director of Bus, said: “The Bee Network is committed to making public transport and active travel more inclusive and accessible for everyone in Greater Manchester, and both Ring & Ride and Local Link play a vital role in providing access to low-cost, accessible and flexible journeys by public transport. We have invested significantly in modernising our public transport system to improve accessibility, including fitting our new Bee Network buses with audiovisual announcements, hearing loops and wheelchair bays, and we’re working hard to deliver even more improvements for our passengers. We know that these door-to-services are a lifeline for so many people in areas that are often hard to reach by traditional public transport, so we are delighted to be partnering with Via to help bring Ring & Ride and Local Link in line with our wider Bee Network to deliver a truly bespoke, modern and flexible experience for our customers.”
Sam Griffiths, Head of the UK & Nordics at Via, said: “Via is delighted to partner with TfGM to upgrade these services with our tech, and in turn make travel easier for all residents in Greater Manchester. Across the UK, we’ve seen how technology-driven mobility can transform communities, and we’re proud to support Manchester’s vision for a more connected and accessible region.”
