Knowledge Transfer Partnership just the ticket for new travel technology

A new project is being launched to develop innovative smartphone technology that will enable young people in Plymouth and the South West to make better use of public transport.

The 18-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership brings together Plymouth City Council, Plymouth University and two of the city’s leading technology businesses – South West Public Transport Information Ltd (SWPTI), and South West Smart Applications Ltd (SWSAL) – on a joint ticket to create an app for Android and iPhone users.

The apps will provide real-time information for travellers, such as the location of buses, directions to the nearest stop, and information on stops along the route. It is hoped that the project could ultimately feed through ticket deals onto the apps.

Dr Andrew Seedhouse, project lead and a member of the University’s Centre for Sustainable Transport, said: “Encouraging people of all ages to make smarter decisions about their travel is a goal shared by all members of the partnership, and the University is proud to be part of this innovative new KTP, with the Council, SWPTI and Youth Parliament.

“In a tech savvy age, getting this right for Plymouth will hopefully trigger an opportunity for us to roll it out regionally, nationally and beyond.”

The work will be carried out by Jake Cunningham, who graduated from Plymouth University in May 2013 with a degree in computing. Jake will undertake research into the needs of young people, and conduct development work on the apps in consultation with members of the Plymouth Youth Parliament.

Jake said: “There’s a lot that can be done by pulling together information from different sources and presenting it in an attractive way through an app to encourage young people in Plymouth to get the best out of local transport. Using smartphones comes naturally to the under 25s, and an app is a great way to get information out there.”

The government-backed KTP has been launched in response to feedback received from youngsters who attended a Transport Fair in October 2012, when some of the issues they raised included the cost of travel and the lack of information when bus services run late. In supporting the KTP submitted by the University and SWPTI, the City Council says it is working to meet the aspirations of its young people.

“We were well aware of problems facing 16-to-25 year-olds in accessing local public transport after the Youth Travel Fair and Forum, which the Council led in October 2012,” said Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport. “We agreed to take away the issues raised and see what we could do to improve things. After working hard with local partners, we were delighted that the bid for funding to produce an app locally for young people in our city was successful.”

The KTP will be launched on Monday 3 February at the Civic Centre, Plymouth.