Transport for Wales partner with CitySwift to embark on AI-driven bus strategy to enhance Welsh public transport services for passengers

Wales, November 2021: Transport for Wales and CitySwift are delighted to announce they have partnered on a pilot programme to optimise public transport services using data and machine learning. The programme aims to deliver efficiencies and improve service levels across the country’s bus network.

Through CitySwift’s platform, Welsh bus operators will be able to make more informed data-driven decisions and understand new travel patterns, which will enable them to improve journey times, reliability and enhance the on-board experience for passengers. This will help encourage a modal shift from private cars to sustainable public transport – key to tackling climate change and reducing congestion and emissions in towns and cities. 

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO and Alan Farrelly, CitySwift COO recently attended the 36th British-Irish Council Summit in Cardiff with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, First Minister of Wales the Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS, government ministers and business leaders. 

Speaking about the partnership, James Price, Transport for Wales CEO said: “Transport for Wales is transforming transport throughout Wales and the borders with an investment programme into all forms of public transport. Our partnership with CitySwift will allow Welsh bus operators to use modern AI technology to gather data, understand new travel patterns and make more informed data-driven decisions. “

This pilot scheme will help us improve bus services for the people of Wales and will assist us in encouraging people to make that modal shift from using private cars to sustainable public transport which is key to tackling climate change.” 

Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales added: “Enhancing our public transport system is a vital part of our work to cut emissions and reduce our impact on climate change. The Welsh Government’s target is for 45% of journeys to be made by sustainable modes by 2040. It is great to see that technology and data is being used to develop efficiencies and growth in this sector.” 

The partnership with TfW will demonstrate CitySwift’s ability to deliver effective strategies for transport authorities – as we have done with major transport operators in the UK, including National Express and Go-Ahead Group. 

Brian O’Rourke, CitySwift CEO commented: “Transport for Wales is taking a positive step by embracing data and AI in a smart, innovative way to improve journey times, reliability and enhance the on-board experience for passengers. 

“As new mobility patterns emerge, due to the pandemic and the need to reduce carbon emissions, there is a lot to learn from big data about changing trends and how best to plan and shape bus services for the future. Our data-driven planning technology will help ensure that Transport for Wales can provide sustainable travel and deliver the highest-quality, safe and reliable journeys for the Welsh public. We hope other public transport authorities follow suit.”