West Midlands Leads UK Contactless Payment Integration
Littlepay selected to build shared payment broker for UK transit starting in West Midlands in 2027
UK Taps Littlepay for Project Coral Payment System
UK transit riders will soon tap contactless cards across multiple bus and rail operators without juggling separate fares, as Littlepay's been selected to build the shared payment broker for Project Coral. The Department for Transport-funded initiative will launch with bus and light rail services in the West Midlands before expanding nationwide, officials said. Development work begins shortly, with initial deployment targeted from 2027.
Integrated Payment System Aims to Simplify Multi-Operator Travel
The West Midlands Combined Authority has led development of the system, which addresses a longstanding barrier in UK public transport: the complexity of using multiple operators. Project Coral will automatically calculate fares and apply capping to ensure riders get the best value when traveling across different services. The broker model allows integration with existing payment systems rather than requiring costly replacements, officials said. Transit agencies across the UK have struggled with fragmented payment systems that confuse riders and create administrative overhead.
API-Based Platform to Connect Operators and Payment Systems
The shared broker will use modular API-based infrastructure to connect transit operators with payment platforms, enabling seamless transactions across networks. Littlepay's partner Euclid will support implementation through its Fareshare platform, which handles revenue apportionment, settlement and reporting among participating operators. The system's designed to work with contactless bank cards, mobile wallets and other payment methods riders already use. Officials said the technology will form the backbone of a more integrated transport network, though specific technical specifications for operator integration weren't detailed in the announcement.
West Midlands Launch Precedes Nationwide Expansion
Initial deployment will focus on bus and light rail services in the West Midlands region starting in 2027, with future expansion planned to include heavy rail and other regions across the UK. Officials didn't provide a specific timeline for when the system will extend beyond the West Midlands or which regions will be added next. The phased approach allows testing and refinement before broader rollout.
Riders to Benefit from Simplified Contactless Travel
The system aims to remove barriers that currently discourage public transport use, particularly for occasional riders unfamiliar with multiple fare structures. Passengers will be able to travel across participating operators using a single contactless payment method without needing to understand complex fare zones or purchase separate tickets. Officials said this represents a shift toward simpler, more passenger-focused public transport in the UK. Moovit provides real-time updates for UK transit services, helping riders plan journeys across multiple operators.
