TfW chooses Hitachi to unify public transport booking in Wales

Transport for Wales (TfW) has selected Hitachi to help connect public transport journeys within Wales through a single app, making it easier for customers to plan, book and pay for different modes of travel.

Over the course of the five-year partnership, Hitachi will deliver a multimodal digital booking system that will include all modes of public transport.

Rail, local bus, fflecsi and TrawsCymru services will all be available to plan and book through the one digital back-office solution from Hitachi, as well as a host of other micromobility (bikes, e-scooters) and demand-based mobility solutions already being used in Wales.

Hitachi will build on its digital expertise from its involvement in ticketing on the Japanese rail network and various initiatives in Italy to develop a bespoke Mobility as a Service (MaaS) product for Wales.

Marie Daly, Chief Customer and Culture Officer at TfW said: “At TfW we're always looking to improve the customer experience and in doing this we want to attract more people to our public transport network. This exciting and ambitious project …is all part of our longer-term plans and aspirations to provide our customers with one network, one timetable and one ticket.”

MaaS solutions typically focus on urban areas. This partnership is seen as pioneering because it will cover the whole of Wales, including rural areas that are often overlooked for digital innovation. Equally, the partners say, MaaS will make greener, low carbon travel easier to choose, plan and pay for.

Justin Southcombe, Commercial Director at Hitachi Rail, said: “This strategic partnership with TfW will benefit from the breadth of mobility, digital and behavioural science expertise that exists in the Hitachi Group.

“Hitachi can combine the latest in cutting-edge digital technology, with deep knowledge of managing some of the world’s most popular transport systems, to better connect journeys.”

On 31 May 2024, Hitachi Rail completed the acquisition of Thales’ Ground Transportation Systems business (GTS). This has expanded its product and technology portfolio, including enhancing its expertise in smart mobility.