transport for West midlands: smarter, swifter parking

In 2019, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) was leading the region’s transformation towards a fully integrated Mobility as a Service (MaaS) model. The organisation’s Swift Smart Card already allowed passengers to pay seamlessly across bus, tram, train, and mobile platforms. However, car parking—a major factor in congestion, air quality, and commuter convenience—was not yet part of this unified ecosystem.

The goal for TfWM was to align parking with its wider smart mobility initiatives by enabling Swift card payments across parking services.

Many providers were unable or unwilling to develop a hybrid system supporting cash, card, contactless, and smart-card payments together. Cammax rose to the challenge. As a specialist provider of Smart Ticketing TVM systems and Parking Payment systems, the company was ideally placed to help TfWM realise their goal of combining these two systems together to form the first Swift Parking Payment System.

Challenges

  • To implement a solution that would integrate with TfWM's existing HOPs smart ticketing system and parking enforcement partner.
  • Work within a tight timescale and complex technical framework.
  • Support multi-day tariffs, pre-purchased tickets and account-based products while maintaining ease of use.

Objectives

  • Enable drivers to pay for parking using the Swift Smart Card,
    just as they do for other transport modes.
  • To give customers the ability to pay for parking and collect pre-purchased Swwift products using the same card.
  • Maintain flexibility by supporting traditional payment options (cash, card, contactless).
  • Fully integrate with TfWM's back-office systems for reporting and enforcement
  • Provide real-time data on parking and travel patterns.
  • Encourage smart-travel adoption by offering discounted tariffs for Swift PAYG users.

Cammax Solution

  • .Hybrid System Design – A parking payment platform combining traditional and smart-ticketing technology.
  • Seamless User Experience – Drivers enter their VRN, select a parking product, and pay via Swift, card, cash, or mobile wallet.
  • Swift Product Collection – Users can collect pre-purchased Swift products directly from the parking machine.
  • Integrated Systems – Linked with TfWM’s HOPS ticketing and enforcement network for real-time vehicle checks.
  • Live Data Dashboard – A back-office system gives TfWM real-time insights into parking and travel patterns.

Outcomes

  • Fast, Flexible Payments – customers enjoy multiple payment options, including Swift, card, and contactless, for a seamless parking experience..
  • Real-Time Insights – TfWM can instantly access performance and usage data on any device to improve operations.
  • Streamlined Enforcement – Mobile access allows officers to check vehicle status instantly, reducing admin and improving compliance.
  • Complete Journey Visibility – Swift card data maps the full travel cycle—from parking to onward journeys—advancing TfWM’s Mobility as a Service (MaaS) goals.

Testimonies

“We decided to go with Cammax because their skills and knowledge in both smart ticketing and car parking sectors, combined with their enthusiasm for taking on innovative new challenges gave us the confidence that they could design, build and implement the exact system TfWM required whilst offering excellent value for money”.“

 

Dave Jones

Swift Development Lead

 

“This is great for commuters in Bromsgrove who now have more convenient ways to pay for their parking. No more fiddling for change and you can use the same card on buses and trams.”


Cllr Ken Pollock

Cabinet member for economy and infrastructure for Worcestershire County Council