TfGM was the first franchised transport authority in the UK to use CitySwift’s AI-powered platform to deliver more reliable, frequent and quicker bus journeys on the Bee Network. CitySwift’s performance optimisation platform enables TfGM to use performance data to proactively manage key routes on the network to meet passenger needs. TfGM is learning how AI can enhance its data-driven decision-making capabilities and make Bee Network bus services more agile.
Since TfGM franchised the bus network in Greater Manchester, passenger numbers have grown by almost 15%, thanks in part to improved performance, with buses now more punctual. CitySwift’s platform has been used to plan detailed changes in Bury, Rochdale and Oldham, with punctuality on average 10% better than before, and higher on some routes. TfGM is now better able to match the supply of vehicles with passengers. These results are helping TfGM to make progress towards the Greater Manchester Bus Strategy’s goal of increasing patronage by 30% by 2030, equating to nearly 50 million additional bus journeys annually. Passenger growth will be driven by improvements such as a more integrated, user-friendly, and frequent network, and better infrastructure for reliable bus journeys, with CitySwift playing a key role.
This announcement aligned with EU Commissioner Michael McGrath’s visit to Manchester, on Friday 11th July, to strengthen EU–UK relations. During his visit, Commissioner McGrath met with TfGM and CitySwift to learn more about their collaboration. At the meeting, CitySwift CCO and Co-founder, Alan Farrelly, presented TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, Danny Vaughan, with a Special Recognition Award from UITP, recognising the positive impact on Manchester’s bus network as a result of the collaboration.
Speaking on today's announcement, Alan Farrelly, CCO and Co-founder of CitySwift, said “Supporting TfGM’s goal of growing patronage with frequent and more reliable buses, aligns to CitySwift’s mission. Our team is focused on continuing to deliver on the improvements achieved in the first year of our partnership with TfGM to support the goals of the Greater Manchester Bus Strategy.”
Through CitySwift’s platform TfGM has access to Bee Network performance data, helping to identify trends and pain points such as traveller destinations and service performance, allowing them to recognise where improvements should be made to benefit passengers.
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: “By working with CitySwift we are able to see exactly how services are performing, enabling us to make quick decisions in how we plan and prioritise improvements to deliver better services for customers which in turn is allowing to growing public transport usage and plan a future network aligned to the ambition and growth of our city region.”
