Despite the Covid-19 emergency the WMCA in conjunction with TfWM, the bus operators & the rail operators will be launching SWIFT GO.
SWIFT GO will work like an Oyster card it can be used on Bus, Rail & Metro within the West Midlands Network
When you using the network the card will automatically price capp the lowest cost of the journey made regardless of transport method.
The scheme has finally been signed off & will be announced in due course.
Quote from: WyreForestShuttle on June 29, 2020, 07:57:04 PM
SWIFT GO will work like an Oyster card it can be used on Bus, Rail & Metro within the West Midlands Network
I had an email invite today from West Midlands Network to review their proposed marketing material. It wasn't clear whether this would be valid across all transport modes though.
Good to see that TfWM are finally catching up with TfL's Oyster, this might be of benefit to some transport users, especially those who still don't have contactless bank cards.
I guess its only a matter of time now before cash payments on buses become a thing of the past...
Quote from: Stu on June 29, 2020, 08:12:26 PM
I had an email invite today from West Midlands Network to review their proposed marketing material. It wasn't clear whether this would be valid across all transport modes though.
Good to see that TfWM are finally catching up with TfL's Oyster, this might be of benefit to some transport users, especially those who still don't have contactless bank cards.
I guess its only a matter of time now before cash payments on buses become a thing of the past...
Excellent
@Stu this is the final stage of the pre product launch.
Selected subscribers to West Midlands Network have been asked to take part in a survey that will finally decide the marketing launch of SWIFT GO.
The card will be a major step forward from the current Swift PAYG cards and Swift pre paid Daysavers allowing total flexibilty.
Quote from: WyreForestShuttle on June 29, 2020, 07:57:04 PM
Despite the Covid-19 emergency the WMCA in conjunction with TfWM, the bus operators & the rail operators will be launching SWIFT GO.
SWIFT GO will work like an Oyster card it can be used on Bus, Rail & Metro within the West Midlands Network
When you using the network the card will automatically price capp the lowest cost of the journey made regardless of transport method.
The scheme has finally been signed off & will be announced in due course.
How is it topped up?
And does it work with all forms of tickets e.g. will someone be able to get a Uni/NHS £1 Hop on the X20/X21/X22 with it, or the £1 concessionary pass pre 09:30 fare, etc or would these only be available when paying by cash? As NXWM only allow contactless payment when purchasing adult daysavers?
Quote from: 2206 on June 29, 2020, 08:46:24 PM
How is it topped up?
And does it work with all forms of tickets e.g. will someone be able to get a Uni/NHS £1 Hop on the X20/X21/X22 with it, or the £1 concessionary pass pre 09:30 fare, child fares, etc or would these only be available when paying by cash? As NXWM only allow contactless payment when purchasing adult daysavers, would this be the same?
.
It can be topped up by direct direct when it falls below a set level, cash top up at a Travelshop, top up at a Rail Station or at Paypoint.
The idea is if you only use NXWM all day after 9.30 you pay £4 if you use Diamond all day in Sandwell on commercial routes it will deduct £2.85 if you use Train & Bus after 9.30 the Daytripper cost or Day Network price before etc.
Quote from: WyreForestShuttle on June 29, 2020, 09:07:53 PM
.
It can be topped up by direct direct when it falls below a set level, cash top up at a Travelshop, top up at a Rail Station or at Paypoint.
The idea is if you only use NXWM all day after 9.30 you pay £4 if you use Diamond all day in Sandwell on commercial routes it will deduct £2.85 if you use Train & Bus after 9.30 the Daytripper cost or Day Network price before etc.
Thankyou for the explanation.
Quote from: Stu on June 29, 2020, 08:12:26 PM
I had an email invite today from West Midlands Network to review their proposed marketing material. It wasn't clear whether this would be valid across all transport modes though.
Good to see that TfWM are finally catching up with TfL's Oyster, this might be of benefit to some transport users, especially those who still don't have contactless bank cards.
I guess its only a matter of time now before cash payments on buses become a thing of the past...
I to have been taking part in some surveys re SWIFT GO.
I just wonder how come it has taken 17 years (Oyster launched in London in 2003) for the West Midlands to come up with something similar?
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on June 30, 2020, 06:41:24 PM
I to have been taking part in some surveys re SWIFT GO.
I just wonder how come it has taken 17 years (Oyster launched in London in 2003) for the West Midlands to come up with something similar?
Transport for West Midlands has only existed since 17th June 2016. Due to complexities of the previous rail franchise, the agreement of a private operator to run the Midland Metro and the fragmented nature of the bus operators until the creation of West Midlands Bus Alliance an Oyster style card would have not been possible until the devolved powers given to the metro mayor allowed transport coordination in a similar fashion to London.
Quote from: 2206 on June 29, 2020, 08:46:24 PM
As NXWM only allow contactless payment when purchasing adult daysavers?
That's not fully accurate with NXWM regarding contactless and only being able to use it to get a day ticket. You can pay for a single by just tapping your card and if that is the only journey you make that day it will only cost £2.40. I have done this and it showed this on my bank statement. Obviously if you made a second trip you'd be better off with a daysaver anyway whether card or cash so it limits it to £4. You may be right though about paying for cheaper singles though as they may have to be cash only.
Quote from: j789 on June 30, 2020, 09:17:51 PM
That's not fully accurate with NXWM regarding contactless and only being able to use it to get a day ticket. You can pay for a single by just tapping your card and if that is the only journey you make that day it will only cost £2.40. I have done this and it showed this on my bank statement. Obviously if you made a second trip you'd be better off with a daysaver anyway whether card or cash so it limits it to £4. You may be right though about paying for cheaper singles though as they may have to be cash only.
I checked the NX Bus site and it does say tap once and your charged single fare and tap again you are charged for the daysaver price is how it works, so my mistake.
I was sure I had seen people asking if they can pay by card for those particular cheaper tickets on the X20/X21/X22 in the past and they were told they can't. The NX Bus site does seem to confirm this as well, that a contactless tap is a set fare of £2.40.
https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/contactless/
Quote from: WyreForestShuttle on June 29, 2020, 08:22:27 PM
Excellent @Stu this is the final stage of the pre product launch.
Selected subscribers to West Midlands Network have been asked to take part in a survey that will finally decide the marketing launch of SWIFT GO.
The card will be a major step forward from the current Swift PAYG cards and Swift pre paid Daysavers allowing total flexibilty.
Major step forward unless you are an operator. The current plan to reimburse operators is not fit for purpose
Quote from: metrocity on June 30, 2020, 09:40:13 PM
Major step forward unless you are an operator. The current plan to reimburse operators is not fit for purpose
I am not aware of any operator criticism of the principle of Swift GO& of the reimbursement rates agreed by the West Midlands Bus Alliance and TOC"S unless you are aware of something I have missed please enlighten us further and what factual evidence do you have to state it is not fit for purpose and if so why have the bus operators and train operating companies agreed to something that you believe is not fit for purpose? The existing Swift cards were used for more than 50 million journeys in 2019 SWIFT GO is the natural next development.
I googled Swiftgo and came up website for Britain's no. 1 motorhome hire!
Quote from: JoNi on July 01, 2020, 08:16:45 AM
I googled Swiftgo and came up website for Britain's no. 1 motorhome hire!
Same here :D :D. They haven't announced it yet.
Swiftgo will act like the nx tap & go for single fares. I.e you will not be able to buy a short hop or multiple passengers as you do with pay as you go at present.
There are still some challenges with the system to overcome
https://www.tfwm.org.uk/news/new-swift-go-guarantees-best-value-fare-on-metro/
TFWM have released some information on SWIFT GO. It's on the Metro right now but will be introduced on buses later this year and on trains next year.
I seriously wonder now if SwiftGo will be much of a success.
I have a swift card because I wanted the flexibility of being able to travel when and where I wanted without the need to ensure I have the right change. I never wanted a contactless payment card.
However the coronavirus has changed it for me and possible many people, I now have a contactless card and therefore SwiftGo wouldn't be of much use to me.
I know in London contactless is a serious rival to the Oyster card
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on July 23, 2020, 03:38:01 PM
I seriously wonder now if SwiftGo will be much of a success.
I have a swift card because I wanted the flexibility of being able to travel when and where I wanted without the need to ensure I have the right change. I never wanted a contactless payment card.
However the coronavirus has changed it for me and possible many people, I now have a contactless card and therefore SwiftGo wouldn't be of much use to me.
I know in London contactless is a serious rival to the Oyster card
Are you going to still use contactless after the coronavirus goes away?
I prefer using the Oyster/SWIFT because the money takes forever to be taken away from your bank account.
Quote from: Busboy105 on July 23, 2020, 03:47:04 PM
Are you going to still use contactless after the coronavirus goes away?
I prefer using the Oyster/SWIFT because the money takes forever to be taken away from your bank account.
Contactless is easy and it shouldn't take anymore time than a normal transaction to clear your bank.
I was "afraid" if that is the best way to put it of the technology, but now I have it, it's made things so much easier.
So I'm taking part in the WMCA Swift Go NX staff trial which will be expanded to buses probably early next year. Don't have alot of information at the moment but today I have just been sent a 4 week Swift Pass which has been uploaded to my GPay app. Haven't uploaded it to the Swift on mobile app as I have no idea how to but waiting for instructions.
Well there is your first notes to write down
Clearer instructions on how to download or load it onto devices
Quote from: karl724223 on October 23, 2020, 07:31:47 PM
Well there is your first notes to write down
Clearer instructions on how to download or load it onto devices
Yes I shall do that.
What's the thought on this new pass.? is it available for the general public to download now or is it still only available to staff?
Quote from: Bus Man K2 on February 01, 2021, 07:32:53 PM
What's the thought on this new pass.? is it available for the general public to download now or is it still only available to staff?
https://wmnetwork.co.uk/swift/swift-for-you/swift-go/
It's been available on Metro trams for some time, but it looks like it is available on buses too now, though they kept that announcement quiet.
Quote from: Stu on February 01, 2021, 07:41:15 PM
https://wmnetwork.co.uk/swift/swift-for-you/swift-go/
It's been available on Metro trams for some time, but it looks like it is available on buses too now, though they kept that announcement quiet.
Thanks
@Stu...
They did keep it quiet... even I didnt pick up on, it!!! That's a first even for me!! 😁 Normally I'm up on all this!! 😁
Do you know if it's going to be available on train as well, or don't you know? It doesn't matter if you don't know..
Quote from: Bus Man K2 on February 01, 2021, 07:46:48 PM
Thanks @Stu...
They did keep it quiet... even I didnt pick up on, it!!! That's a first even for me!! 😁 Normally I'm up on all this!! 😁
Do you know if it's going to be available on train as well, or don't you know? It doesn't matter if you don't know..
You know now as much as I do. Read back through this thread.
Quote from: Stu on February 01, 2021, 08:30:08 PM
You know now as much as I do. Read back through this thread.
I didn't know if you get email regarding updates on this!! 😁 I know you've linked the website in your llast post but I didn't know if you had heard/seen any more... obviously not then!! 😁
Such a shame they have not bothered to match the Local/Outer Birmingham Daysaver that National Express offer here in Birmingham with an Nbus equivalent, despite matching the Black Country ones of course, same old story. Cash is still king here it seems!
Quote from: V89MOA on February 01, 2021, 09:46:31 PM
Such a shame they have not bothered to match the Local/Outer Birmingham Daysaver that National Express offer here in Birmingham with an Nbus equivalent, despite matching the Black Country ones of course, same old story. Cash is still king here it seems!
You cant buy 'short hop' fares either as there is no 'tap off' function either..
Quote from: metrocity on February 02, 2021, 03:22:58 AM
You cant buy 'short hop' fares either as there is no 'tap off' function either..
I think in time they'll get scanneres to allow this to happen. it may be the case that when you 'tap in' you 'tap in' on the drivers scanner. then when you get off you 'tap off' at the bus stop or on a different scanner on the bus... Whixh will then show where you got off that service.
I've probably missed it but two questions:
1. Can a normal swift card be used or have they brought in a new card?
2. Are there any plans to bring in contactless capping for swift go like it is with NX or in London at the moment?
Quote from: bususer28 on February 02, 2021, 05:24:53 PM
I've probably missed it but two questions:
1. Can a normal swift card be used or have they brought in a new card?
2. Are there any plans to bring in contactless capping for swift go like it is with NX or in London at the moment?
Hi
@bususer28 I think in 'normal times' it would have been a direct replacement in the long term....but as this is not 'normal times' yet I think people are still using the onld swift cards with other people using the new one... 😁 I don't really know but I am guessing here...
To answer your other question I think NX have but not to sure with the Swift Go but I know they have with the normal contactless.. May be
@Tony can comment?
Quote from: bususer28 on February 02, 2021, 05:24:53 PM
I've probably missed it but two questions:
1. Can a normal swift card be used or have they brought in a new card?
2. Are there any plans to bring in contactless capping for swift go like it is with NX or in London at the moment?
See the Swift website for everything you need to know:
https://wmnetwork.co.uk/swift/swift-for-you/swift-go/
You can add Swift Go to an existing Swift photocard, otherwise you'll need a new card.
Swift Go is all about capping so you never pay more than the equivalent 'day-rate' no matter how many journeys you make in a day.
Quote from: Bus Man K2 on February 02, 2021, 03:04:32 PM
I think in time they'll get scanneres to allow this to happen. it may be the case that when you 'tap in' you 'tap in' on the drivers scanner. then when you get off you 'tap off' at the bus stop or on a different scanner on the bus... Whixh will then show where you got off that service.
I doubt they'd consider having 'tap off' scanners at the stops, it'd be a lot easier to fit them to the buses, and I can guarantee a lot of them would get vandalised at stops.
Quote from: DJ on February 02, 2021, 08:22:00 PM
I doubt they'd consider having 'tap off' scanners at the stops, it'd be a lot easier to fit them to the buses, and I can guarantee a lot of them would get vandalised at stops.
You are right
@DJ about vandalism at stops... I only suggeted it as an option but it would make more sense to have them added to the bus.. 😁
Quote from: Bus Man K2 on February 02, 2021, 08:54:16 PM
You are right @DJ about vandalism at stops... I only suggeted it as an option but it would make more sense to have them added to the bus.. 😁
Also have the problem of some remote stops with no electricity, similarly if the journey is between two counties, one of which won't install them
Quote from: Tony on February 02, 2021, 08:59:27 PM
Also have the problem of some remote stops with no electricity, similarly if the journey is between two counties, one of which won't install them
Your also right
@Tony.
I forgot about the cross boundary services.. 😁 I normally wouldn't!! 😁