A new App is aimed at making public transport easier throughout the region.

Local public transport users are now able to gather information about their journey thanks to a new online and mobile tool which has been launched. Transport authority Centro has set up the first version of the Network West Midlands journey planner, which plots the fastest route between two locations for people travelling by bus, train or tram, providing instant transport information at the click of a button.

The planner, hosted on Centro’s passenger information website www.networkwestmidlands.com, allows users to map their trip by entering cities, postcodes or places of interest. And an App version called NetNav is now available for Android SmartPhones with an iPhone version currently under development.

The development comes as part of a passenger information programme from Centro worth over £1 million. Further updates and improvements will be added to the site and app over the coming months with the aim of making travel information even more accessible and easy to understand.  The planner currently gives details of timetabled services but real time information will be added in the future to allow passengers to plan their journeys based on up to the minute information.

Commuters who regularly take the same journey can save their favourite trips while users wishing to cycle or walk to their nearest station or stop can choose to build this into their journey plan. Passengers with restricted mobility can also personalise their trips to avoid stairs, lifts and escalators and include wheelchair access.  There are even details on how much carbon would be saved by leaving the car behind for each journey. Both planners also feature departure information for all modes of travel with the online planner including live details of departures and arrivals at Birmingham Airport.

The planner includes detailed maps to help passengers move between stops and stations, or to their destination once they depart the bus, train or Metro.

As part of the information improvements all online timetables have been revised to make them easier to read, download and print.