Transport for West Midlands is working with the UK’s principal bus operators to launch a major fare capping project to offer passengers best value and greater convenience when using their credit or debit card on public transport.

Over the next two years, a system will be developed to allow passengers to use their contactless cards across a range of transport modes and operators, which will mean ‘best value’ fares are applied automatically.

This scheme is one of a number of innovations being delivered over the next two years after TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), secured £18m funding from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

“Given the cost of living pressures facing local residents right across our region, the pay as you go options, flexible tickets and season passes offered via Swift have an important role to play in reducing household outgoings during these challenging times.Thanks to the operators we work closely with, the West Midlands has some of the lowest fares in the country. This is especially true on our excellent value bus network, with the daysaver held at its 2013 price - cheaper than recent daysaver fares announced in other parts of the UK - and further boosted by the news this week that the Department for Transport will cap single fares at £2 for a period."