4 DECEMBER 2025 (COVENTRY) — As of 1 December, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has upgraded its long-standing demand-responsive transport service – offering thousands of residents a more convenient and flexible way to travel.
The changes bring Ring & Ride and On Demand services together under a unified operation – West Midlands Bus On Demand – designed to make the network simpler and easier to navigate, particularly for older or disabled people. The upgraded services are operated by Via.
West Midlands Bus On Demand has also introduced a series of upgrades designed to boost efficiency and passenger experience, including:
Service hours have not changed. West Midlands On Demand can be used by anyone to travel up to five miles within Coventry city limits. Passengers with eligibility for the former Ring & Ride scheme retain access to travel throughout the wider region.
Via has provided the technology behind West Midlands Bus On Demand services across the TfWM area since June. It has now taken over as service operator for Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull.
This decision represents a step forward for TfWM’s vision to be a well-connected place in the UK where people can thrive without having to drive or own a car. Unlike traditional public transport, on-demand transport is not constrained by timetables or fixed routes and is designed to provide more flexibility and accessibility to passengers – with the aim of closing the gap between home and bus stops or train stations. In consultation over The Mayor’s Local Transport Plan, 83% agreed that a key policy aim should be to tackle inequalities in transport access.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “By bringing in a new operator we are not just improving the service, we are guaranteeing affordable, high quality and accessible transport for some of our most vulnerable residents for years to come, delivering on my priority of journeys for everyone.”
“Via is proud to partner with Transport for West Midlands and bring our data-driven, passenger-centred operating model to West Midlands On Demand. Across the UK, we’ve seen how innovative mobility can improve connectivity for local communities, and we’re pleased to support TfWM’s ambition for a more accessible and inclusive region,” said Sam Griffiths, Head of the UK & Nordics at Via.
TfWM’s collaboration with Via adds to a growing list of transport innovations across the UK as authorities seek solutions to help achieve their local transport goals. Today, Via’s technology powers 35 demand-responsive transport and dial-a-ride schemes across the UK, including those with Transport for London, Transport for Manchester and Transport for Wales. Via also offers authorities customised public transport navigation apps through Citymapper, and intuitive transport networking planning tools through its Remix software suite.
For more information about West Midlands Bus On Demand, please visit: https://www.tfwm.org.uk/plan-your-journey/ways-to-travel/buses-in-the-west-midlands/on-demand-buses-in-the-west-midlands/
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About Via
Via is the technology backbone of a modern transportation network. We transform public transportation systems into dynamic networks, based on data and demand. Cities and transit agencies around the world adopt Via’s suite of software and technology-enabled services to replace fragmented legacy systems and consolidate operations. As a result, Via lowers the cost of providing transit, improves the passenger experience, and brings more riders on board. Today, the Via platform is utilized by hundreds of cities across more than 30 countries to create public transportation systems that connect people with jobs, healthcare, and education.