Published: Wednesday, 6th March 2019
Thousands of bus passengers in Cannock Chase will benefit from Swift, the West Midlands’ own smart travel card.
The pay-as-you-go card can now be used on all Arriva bus services in the district.
Swift is run by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
Using the card is much more convenient for passengers than fumbling in their pockets for change, and most connecting services in the West Midlands are discounted for Swift users.
Although not a full constituent member of the WMCA, Cannock Chase Council has non-constituent status and is a key town in the wider travel-to-work commuter area of the West Midlands.
Cllr Roger Lawrence, lead member for transport for the WMCA, said the rollout of Swift into Cannock Chase was a major milestone in its development.
“Swift has grown spectacularly in a short period of time, with more than four million journeys per month meaning it is already the largest travel card outside London,” he said.
“With new opportunities to use Swift in and around Cannock Chase, even more people will now benefit from using this revolutionary ticketing system.
“As Swift continues to grow, it makes complete sense to roll it out beyond the metropolitan West Midlands and expand its reach to neighbouring towns and districts.”
Councillor George Adamson, leader of Cannock Chase Council, said: “I am delighted that Swift has been rolled out for bus passengers in Cannock Chase.
“It is particularly important when considering how many people travel into Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and the Black Country from neighbouring areas.
“The easier we can make it for people to leave their cars at home, freeing up road space and reducing pollution and congestion, the better.”
The cards are available online via myswiftcard.com/Cannock, and can also be topped up online or using the Swift app. The credit can be collected at one of the following sites:
- Cannock Hospital
- Cannock Chase Council Civic Centre
- Cannock bus station
- Rugeley bus station
- Hednesford bus station (to follow)
Simon Mathieson, area managing director for Arriva Midlands North, said: “It’s great that Swift is helping us to make ticketing more accessible to passengers, in addition to contactless payment and M-ticketing, both of which are already available to Arriva customers.”
Cannock Chase is the second non-constituent local authority to benefit from the rollout of Swift, which was extended to Redditch last year.
Swift was launched in 2012 and passengers across the West Midlands now make nearly 50 million journeys each year using the pay-as-you-go card.
For more details on Swift in Cannock Chase, visit the Network West Midlands website.