City regions’ Ride app held up as gold standard as new powers handed to local leaders

The East Midlands has been held up as a model for the future of public transport after the Government named Nottingham and Derby’s Ride app as a blueprint for its new national transport strategy.

The ‘Better Connected’ strategy, published on last week, sets out more than 40 funded commitments designed to make everyday journeys simpler and more affordable. 

Central to the plans is a push to roll out tap-and-go contactless travel across buses, trains and trams in towns and cities throughout England.

Nottingham and Derby’s Ride app, part-funded by Government, was singled out as an example of what can be achieved when local leaders are backed to invest in integrated transport. 

The app allows passengers to plan and pay for journeys across buses and trams as well as shared transport services including car clubs, e-scooters and e-bikes, all from a single platform.

The strategy will also see £6 million invested in a “Mini Switzerland” pilot in the Peak District’s Hope Valley, testing more frequent rural bus services timed to connect with arriving trains.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward said: “This £6 million investment is a major step forward for transport in the Peak District. 

“This ‘Mini Switzerland’ pilot goes further by joining up buses and trains through coordinated timetables and easier connections, so people can rely on public transport as a genuine alternative to the car.

“If we can make this work in the Hope Valley, it can provide a blueprint for better rural transport across the region and beyond.”

The strategy also announces a new partnership with Google to provide real-time bus tracking through Google Maps across England, and a £40 million fund for local authorities to trial digital technologies to reduce congestion.